The managing director of Poundland has said the company will give staff an extra week of paid holiday and double staff discount as a reward for the hard work of his employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
Barry Williams has announced a raft of worker benefits, including a commitment to keep shops closed on New Year's Day and Boxing Day to allow staff to spend more quality time with their families.
As well as that, he's set up shops on-site at warehouses so that staff working their can easily get essential goods that they need.
During the ongoing lockdown, 700 out of the 800 Poundland shops in the UK have remained open, as they've been counted among the essential services that prime minister Boris Johnson said could remain open during the duration of the restrictions.
Mr Williams announced a number of the new employee benefits in a video on Facebook on 15 April. He said: "Sometimes just saying thank you isn't enough, so we're doing a lot to support our colleagues as well.
"Whether that's doubling the discount on all the products they can buy from us through our colleague discount scheme, providing extra holiday - all colleagues are getting an extra week's holiday because of the service they've provided - an extended break to spend with their families and loved ones at Christmas."
He added: "It really is important that we thank them for everything they're doing - they really are the heroes of our business."
As has been the case in many shops selling essential goods during the Covid-19 outbreak, Poundland has seen shoppers panic buying and grabbing too many of certain items.
That has led the shopping chain to put up signs asking people to adhere to social distancing, as well as telling them 'there's no need to buy more than necessary'.
Poundland has also taken safety measures to protect their staff and shoppers from spreading the virus, including screens aimed at minimising the risk, and systems to avoid social contact.
In a tweet, they wrote: "From today we're starting to fit new checkout screens to help protect those working and shopping in our stores.
"Just one of the many measures we've put in place to help keep you safe."
However, 100 stores did not remain open because of reduced footfall. At the time, the chain said that this would help to protect the business against future financial losses, and allow them to 'provide better service to communities' during the pandemic.
Staff were moved to stores that were remaining open, allowing the company to cover sick leave and boost numbers in the shops.
Any staff that couldn't be relocated were furloughed.
Featured Image Credit: PA