Empty shelves were seen in Poundland as the discount chain shut a city store yesterday.

The West Quay retail park branch closed its doors to shoppers looking for a bargain but it was business as usual according to shop staff.

A spokesperson confirmed to the Echo on Sunday that company was moving operations to its Above Bar Street store.

Some patrons of Poundland shared worries about where they will find their knick-knacks and snacks for the low prices that the Poundland branch has to offer.

Two customers, Jamie and Scott, expressed their love for Poundland's cheap and cheerful meal deals, telling the Echo: “The meal deals are great for the price”.

The pair work nearby the closing branch and said it is a shame to see it leaving as they often come with a list of things to buy for their office, they say the Asda superstore nearby doesn’t match the prices of Poundland for them.

On the day of closing, the branch had a reduced set of staff, with no stock left to put out on the shop floor and very little left to sell.

Christina Obzut, Poundland staff member from Southampton, when asked about how she felt in her last day working at this Poundland branch, told the Echo, “I have worked for Poundland for 16 years now, it feels the same as any other day to me.”

Another staff member Makena Kotovska, from Bitterne says she will miss working at the Westquay retail park branch but fortunately has been able to transfer to a different Poundland branch with ease.

She spoke highly of the great community of shoppers that she has met through her day-to-day of working at Poundland.

She said: “Our customers say they’re sad we are closing down, it’s a very convenient location for customers as we have 30 minutes of free parking here”.

She had worries for customers who can not reach the Above Bar Street Poundland location due to poor parking options in the centre of Southampton.

The staff at Poundland West Quay retail park say their customers will miss the ease of shopping in the closing branch as a quiet and pleasant shopping experience at this Poundland branch is taken away from them.

A shop spokesperson told the Echo on Sunday: "In Southampton we’re consolidating our presence in the city at our Above Bar Street store that’s only half a mile away.

"We’d obviously like to thank customers for their support at West Quay and look forward to welcoming them to Above Bar Street."