These are the Poundland stores set to temporarily close across the region

A Poundland spokesperson said: "Poundland is addressing the disruption caused by coronavirus by placing about 100 of its stores into temporary hibernation this week.

"Largely these are in places where we’ve got two stores close to each other or we’re in a shopping centre that’s told us it’s difficult to stay open for just us.

"Hibernation will allow us to focus colleagues in a slightly smaller number of locations, provide better service to communities in consolidated stores as some colleagues transfer nearby and fill the gaps caused by other colleagues who are currently in self-isolation.

"Where it’s not possible to transfer colleagues to a nearby store or other work, we’ll be seeking to actively use the Government’s furlough scheme to protect jobs for the future."

Usdaw national union officer Dave Gill said: "This is clearly a difficult time for shop workers on the frontline of providing essential services during the coronavirus emergency.

"We understand why the company feel the need to temporarily streamline the number of outlets and we have emphasised the need for furloughed workers to be volunteers.

"Usdaw continues in negotiations with the company, where we are calling for Poundland to top up the Government scheme, so that our members have no loss of income."

The retailer did not say when the stores are expected to reopen.

These are the North West stores that will close temporarily:

- Crewe

- Chester Old Sealand (Retail Park)

- Ormskirk Two Saints (Retail Park)

- Droylsden

- Barrow in Furness Hindpool (Retail Park)

- Manchester Arndale (Shopping Centre)

- Carlisle Scotch Street

Other stores to close across the UK are:

- Pontefract

- Wick (Retail Park)

- Walsall Saddlers (Shopping Centre)

- Christchurch

- Selly Oak (Retail Park)

- Whitehaven

- Yardley Swan (Shopping Centre)

- Meadowhall (Shopping Centre)

- York Monks Cross (Retail Park)

- Hammersmith Kings Street

- Sutton Coldfield

- Oswestry

- Newport Spytty (Retail Park)

- Rotherham Parkgate (Retail Park)

- Kings Lynn Vancouver (Shopping Centre)