DISCOUNT chain Poundland praised Barrow as it announced a u-turn on a decision to close its town centre store.

The company previously said its Dalton Road store would be closing after it failed to agree a new lease with the building's landlord.

But it has now announced the store is staying open, in a move welcomed by the chairman of a town centre business group.

A spokesman for Poundland said: “We’re delighted that we’ve reached an agreement with the landlord that means we can keep our store open in Dalton Road, Barrow. 

“Dalton Road is a great location for us and we didn’t want to leave.

"This is fantastic news for our customers and our colleagues and we look forward to keeping our doors open and offering the people of Barrow the amazing value they’ve come to expect from Poundland.

"Our nearby store at Barrow Retail Park will continue trading as normal.”

Colin Garnett, the chairman of Barrow's Business Improvement District, was pleased by the announcement.

He said: "We welcome the news that Poundland will be remaining on Barrow's high street.

"It is fantastic news for the employees and great news for the town.

"I encourage local people to continue to support Poundland and the variety of national and independent retailers located in the town centre."

Poundland has opened more than 800 stores in the UK since the company began trading in 1990.

The Dalton Road store was due to close next week after the company was 'unable' to renew the unit's lease.

Several shops, many of them run by national chains, have closed in Barrow recently.

It was announced earlier this month that Steals, a clothes shop in Portland Walk, would be closing after just three months in business.

Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, Thortons and Carphone Warehouse are among the other retails to have left Barrow in the past few two years for various reasons.