POUNDLAND says it would like to keep its Crewe store - although it is yet to agree terms on a new lease.

The Market Street store was one of 44 the budget retailer temporarily "hibernated" in January because of the impact of the third national lockdown.

It reopened again in April, but it's long-term future is understood to be under threat with the company saying it needs to agree terms on a lease renewal with its landlords.

Crewe town centre has been hit hard in the pandemic and before with large chains deserting over the years to the Grand Junction Retail Park.

The competition in the budget sector has also intensified; recently B&M opened a second Crewe outlet at the new Dorothy Flude Retail Park.

A spokesperson for Poundland said: "Of course, we'd like to keep our store in Market Street in Crewe open for customers and our colleagues. But the lease is due for renewal and we need to agree terms with the landlord.

"As and when we've got any firm news, we will let people know."

When it closed temporarily earlier in the year Poundland said it had been hit by an 80 per cent fall in customers at some stores and placed staff on furlough.