Poundland has set out details of its Christmas plans including recruiting temporary colleagues, the days when it will be closed and extra support for its 18,000 people in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The discount retailer is recruiting 1,200 temporary seasonal staff and will provide support for colleagues through Christmas vouchers and extra discounts.

Poundland has stores across Cumbria, including two shops in Barrow and Carlisle and one in Kendal, Workington and Whitehaven.

The discount retailer confirmed it planned to take on around 1,200 seasonal colleagues to work in stores across the UK and Ireland in the run-up to this Christmas.

The temporary shop floor roles will end on Christmas Eve though some colleagues may be taken on permanently where roles are available.

Simon Wells, Poundland & Dealz’ people director, said: “The extra recruits will help us make sure that our stores are great places to work and shop at the busiest time of year.”

In addition to Christmas Day, Poundland confirmed it had told its colleagues back in September that for the third year in a row all its stores will be closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to give colleagues a well-deserved break.

Customers can check their local store opening times over the Christmas period on the Poundland website at https://www.poundland.co.uk/store-finder/.

As a thank-you to all 18,000 members of the Poundland and Dealz team for all their hard work, they will each receive a £25 voucher to spend in store between December and January and their regular colleague discount will double from 10% to 20% during November.