Poundland owner seeks private MP session 'to avoid show trial'

Sky News · Mark Kleinman · 2026-11-06 10:55 UTC

Gordon Brothers wants to give evidence to the business and trade select committee next week behind closed doors as the discount retailer hovers on the brink of collapse, Sky News learns.

Sky News has learnt that Gordon Brothers is in talks with officials working for Liam Byrne, the chair of the business, innovation, science and trade select committee following a demand that its top European executive appears before parliament next Wednesday to discuss Poundland's fate.

Sources said that Gordon Brothers had provided the committee with assurances that it is committed to progressing a solvent sale of Poundland, which could otherwise collapse into administration as soon as next week.

AlixPartners, the restructuring firm, is on standby to handle Poundland's insolvency - a move which would put 10,500 jobs at risk.

Read the full story at Sky News · All coverage of this story