# Poundland ‘frontrunner’ Xyra Group asks retailer’s founder to join bid

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/poundland-frontrunner-xyra-group-asks-retailers-founder-to-join-bid/
- Published: 2026-11-09T13:58:16+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T14:54:34+00:00
- Original publisher: City AM (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.cityam.com/poundland-frontrunner-xyra-group-asks-retailers-founder-to-join-bid/
- Topics: Business

## Key points

- Xyra Group is offering £12.5m for Poundland.
- Founder Steve Smith has been asked to support the bid.
- Gordon Brothers is seeking a buyer before Thursday’s deadline.

## Summary

Xyra Group Holdings has asked Poundland founder Steve Smith to support its £12.5m offer for the struggling retailer, which is at risk of collapse. Smith has spoken with the investment firm but does not plan to join takeover efforts before a deal is completed; he has also ruled out investing himself or backing a rival bid.

Poundland’s owner, Gordon Brothers, is seeking a solvent buyer before a creditor moratorium expires on Thursday. Xyra’s offer would leave a £10m gap against Gordon Brothers’ £22.5m share of a £30m loan, while rival Martin Property Group has offered £5m upfront, leaving a £17.5m gap. Xyra is seen as the frontrunner after making progress on proving its funding, though it has yet to complete an acquisition since its 2024 founding; Poundland has 600 stores and 12,000 staff.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.