Woolworths Could Be Set For A Return To Britain's High Streets

Anybody whose childhood memories include pick 'n' mix sweets and buying singles on CD will be delight to hear that Woolworths could be set for a comeback to Britain's high streets.

The high street retail group closed following the 2008 global economic crash, which reduced the availability of credit and lowered the rate of consumer spending.

Woolworths went into administration in 2008 after racking up nearly £400 million of debts. Over 800 stores were closed as the brand disappeared from Britain's high streets, with the last one shutting in 2009.

The collapse left 27,000 workers out of work.

Here's a news clip from back in the day showing just how grim it was for the retail chain...

Credit: BBC

But now the former director of the brand Tony Page has revealed to the Daily Star that he has made an approach to 'Shop Direct' to buy the name back.

He has said he would bring the company back, placing stores in the 'heart of the communities' rather than major shopping centres.

"I am still emotionally attached to it," he told Daily Star Online, "I still think it has got a role in the future.

Did someone say pick 'n' mix? Credit: PA Images

"I have contacted Shop Direct and said 'you're not using the brand anymore, would you consider giving it to someone who would?'"

Woolworths started out in the UK in 1909 as part of American company F.W Woolworth & Co, with the first store in Britain on Church Street in Liverpool.

Much like the Woolies you'll remember, it sold children's clothing, stationery and toys.

Tony has said he is looking into buying the name from 'Shop Direct', who purchased the rights following the company going into administration. If he was to re-establish the store, he would want it to be a primarily a 'physical retailer'.

"They have taken the website down, so I'm curious now as to what might happen next because I still think the brand has got some propriety in spite of what happened in the past," he said.

"I feel as though if the brand name was available it would still be a possibility to bring it back (to our high streets)."

Sounds like good news for people who still do their shopping on the high street and hopefully it would create some jobs too.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday