Two vacant retail unts in The Spires, Barnet, are to be taken over as the site for one of the revamped Poundland stores which are being opened in shopping malls and town centres across the country.

Barnet’s Poundland is likely to sell chilled and frozen food, clothing, homewares as well as traditional lines such as health and beauty, entertainment, stationery, and craft ranges.

Eight of the new stores are due to open in mid-December as part of Poundland’s expansion programme.

Poundland already has over 800 stores across the country and the group’s aim is to open more outlets in smaller towns and shopping centres.

Poundland told the Barnet Society that the new store in The Spires would be opening in the New Year and that it would shortly give more details of the range of products on sale.

Planning permission is being sought for the signage of the Barnet new store which will be branded Poundland PEP & co – the branding used for stores that sell clothing and home wares as well everyday essentials including groceries, drinks, and snacks.

Work to fit out the two units – which were promoted as possible sites for restaurants – as a Poundland store is due to begin shortly and will take eight weeks to complete.

Freezer and chiller units will be installed in what will become a “Food to Go” area in the store.

By the end of the year Poundland says it will have opened or relocated 25 stores creating 160 new jobs.

A recent Channel 5 documentary on Poundland’s expansion said the budget retailer had a £1.5 billion turn over and its latest stores were selling clothing as well as convenience foods.

Poundland already has stores in the High Road, Finchley, and at the shopping park in Borehamwood.