Fond memories of Woolworths

Administrator Deloitte says that there is strong interest in buying the lease of the 815 stores of Woolworths across the country. Talks are still continuing with regard to selling Woolworths as a going concern, with a number of parties said to be interested in buying the company.

The old High Street warhorse went into administration on 26 November, with debts of £385m, but stores are continuing to trade. Just a year short of its centenary Woolworths has been a popular staple of Britain’s high streets, and for the over 50s it is fondly regarded as a shop where you can buy almost anything.

And that may be where its problems lie. Did it ever have a true identity? Or was it always a convenient store where you could get goods that were not top of the range but “would do”?

Though still regarded with affection by those over 50, it is easy to see why people “like it”, but actually buy their goods elsewhere. An attempt to modernise Woolies some years ago met with limited success, as most of the stores still have a tendency to look dated.

Perhaps most people’s best memories of Woolies are its Pick ‘n’ Mix, but that brand alone is not enough to carry the store beyond a hundred years.

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