We don’t want a Poundland in our posh neighbourhood – we’ll have to push past tracksuits on the way to the cheesemongers
LOCALS have revealed their fury as a Poundland opens its doors in their posh neighbourhood.
The new bargain store will open in just days in East Dulwich, as part of a national rollout - sandwiched between boutiques and cafes.
Poundland is known for its cheap deals, selling everything from food and drinks to kitchen essentials.
And it will now be the latest addition to East Dulwich - a leafy suburb that is home to some of the priciest properties in the capital, where the average home rarely dips below an average of £1million.
In 1999, Hollywood juggernaut Tom Cruise nabbed a £2million home in the area.
Locals are now fuming as the store prepares to open this weekend.
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One local told The Sun Online: "It's just not a good look.
"There are these beautiful old buildings here.
"I don't want to say that it'll make the area unsafe but there's a clear difference between what you see here and then all of a sudden there's a big ugly building with a Poundland on it which appears.
"You know, there may be a few scraps outside all of a sudden."
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And other frustrated locals have shared their anger online.
One fumed in an online forum: "How am I expected to push past all those tracksuits while I'm carrying a selection of cheeses from Mons (a local posh cheesemongers) not to mention the quince paste."
Poundland - which is replacing estate agents Foxtons - will open on Lordship Lane on May 18, one of 50 new stores to be rolled out nationally.
And its arrival has left some locals fearing it their neighbourhood will lose its personality and threaten the existence of independent shops.
One woman argued: "A lot of big chains have started popping up around the area.
"And this is possibly the biggest one, so my main worry would be that it's going to knock the farmer shops out.
"They're now going to be selling the products the smaller business do at a discounted price so it's a risk."
Marica Melotti, who manages fashion store Meet Bernard in the area, also expressed reservations about the new store.
She said: "I can see why people like it and dislike it.
"It's very bright and very different to a lot of the shops around here."
However, not everyone is dismayed about the shop's latest opening.
Local Marian Galton, 61, said: "East Dulwich has become too haute bourgeoisie for me.
"All the shops look exactly the same.
"I think it's a good idea. Especially in a cost-of-living crisis, it gives people from a lower-income bracket more of an opportunity."
The new store measures 2,800 square feet and will create 12 new jobs.
Poundland's director of retail, Darren Kay, said: “While our impending arrival on Lordship Lane has caused a bit of a hoo-ha, we can’t wait to open our doors and show Lordship Lane what we’re offering.
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“What’s more we think our promise to deliver amazing value is as important to the residents of East Dulwich as it is to customers in East Kilbride and East Grinstead.
"We look forward to helping all Southwark residents save money on the grocery items they need."
