Dealz Ireland jobs at risk as Poundland owner urged to unlock bank access

UK retail crisis puts dozens of Dealz stores across Ireland in spotlight

Liam Byrne, chair of the UK Parliament's Business and Trade Committee, has urged Gordon Brothers to give Poundland unrestricted access to its bank accounts. 

He raised the issue after representatives of the investment firm appeared before the committee during a private hearing on Wednesday.

The dispute comes at a critical point for Poundland, which is attempting to find a buyer before being placed into administration. 

The retailer filed a formal notice on 29 October confirming its intention to appoint administrators, triggering a 10-working-day period to secure a deal. That deadline expired on Wednesday.

MP warns Poundland rescue could be derailed

Byrne told Sky News that evidence presented to the committee suggested Gordon Brothers had prevented Poundland from accessing its own money. 

He warned that the restrictions could make it harder to complete a sale and called for the retailer's protection period to be extended.

"This is a moment of urgency, we hope that Poundland will basically extend the protection period that they enjoy quickly tonight so that we maximise the chance of getting a deal done that saves the business for the future," he said.

The committee chair also insisted that Poundland needed "full and fulsome access" to its bank accounts to give the rescue process a chance. 

He claimed Gordon Brothers' representatives had also refused to guarantee that saving jobs would be prioritised over maximising the financial return from the business.

Poundland's difficulties have raised questions about the future of Dealz in Ireland, where the chain operates 70 stores. 

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said this week that his department had received no notification of job losses at the Irish retailer.

Gordon Brothers took control of Poundland in 2025, buying the business from Warsaw-listed Pepco Group for a nominal £1. The investment firm had not responded to a request for comment.