Gordon Brothers, the owner of Poundland, is demanding £30m from potential buyers to acquire the UK discount chain, according to reports.

Gordon Brothers bought the chain for less than a pound last year, but has informed bidders that it requires the quoted sum to cover a shareholder loan.

The loan, which was extended to Poundland by previous owner Pepco and inherited by Gordon Brothers at no additional cost, is secured against all of the 640-store chain’s assets.

In the year to September 2025, Poundland reported a pre-tax loss of £85.2mn on revenues of £1.55bn.

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