Chain restocks stores in operation named after singer of I Will Survive, as US owners release some of withheld funds

Poundland’s under-fire US owners have released funds to help the stricken discount chain restock shelves temporarily, keeping hopes of a rescue deal alive in the run-up to crunch talks with the government.

In an emergency resupply effort codenamed “Operation Gloria” by senior Poundland staff, about 16m grocery items were dispatched to 600 shops in the UK and Ireland over the weekend.