The Woolworth business empire was started in New York America by Frank Winfield Woolworth when he opened and helped to pioneer the 'Five-and-Dime Store' concept. His first store opened on February 22, 1878, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store" in Utica, New York and rapidly expanded around the US and into Canada. The first store to open in England was in 1909 in Liverpool where it was advertised nothing would cost more than 6d.
As most high streets opened a branch of the 6d store most had their unique frontage and a mosaic floor just inside the front doors. These were the shops where children would flock to on Saturdays clutching their weekly spending money to buy pens, pencils, rulers and writings pads all displaying the latest images of the pop star or TV idol of the day. Mums would visit the stores to buy the things children would need before starting the new school term or for their first day at a new school. Visit 'Woollies' at Christmas time was always a treat when there was every kind of Christmas selection box of chocolates and sweets on display. Children would make a mental note of the ones they wanted to place on their Christmas list for Santa.
The staff were always friendly and helpful and for many in the top form at school those students could often be given their first opportunity of entering into the world of work as a Saturday girl.
The end came in December 2008 when it was announced that all 807 stores nationwide would close in 40 days, with the last one closing in January this meant the business fell just short of its centenary. When the closure was announced every branch had only got a matter of days to sell as much of the remaining stock and as many of the fixtures and fittings as possible. On that final day when the last branch in the UK finally closed its doors for the last time, the 27,000 staff employed by the chain were all out of work.
In this photograph and happier times at our branch of Woolies we have from left to right: (Back row) Kathleen Egan; Mrs Paula Ellis; Mrs Carol Lee (Front Row) Mike Hillam and Jessica Stevens.
On 2 February 2009, a month after the last Woolworths store closed, it was announced that the Woolworths brand in the UK, as well as the Ladybird clothing brand, had been bought by Shop Direct Group, who are the owners of companies such as Littlewoods, Kays and Great Universal. Shop Direct Group announced their intention to restart the Woolworths brand as an online retailer by the summer of 2009. It was also believed that a catalogue could follow. Woolworths also launched an Easter egg website, called Woolies Wonderland, for Easter 2009.
The Woolworth's shop site in Commercial Street pre 1943
The re-developed Woolworth's site post 1943
The very familiar Market Street entrance to Woolworth's in 1993
Brightly lit but soon to be dimmed - courtesy of Alexander P. Knapp Geograph website
On 25 June 2009, woolworths.co.uk reopened with more than half a million products on offer. The Woolworth is now closed and becomes part of the Very.co.uk company website.
Our own Brighouse store has seen a number of name changes over the front entrance since Woolworth's left the hight street. For a short while there was Store 21 which was a clothing clearence shop, then we have seen Yorkshire Trading Company and now we have anotehr name to add to the changes. In these times of high street difficulties we hope this store can continue to go forward and thrive and have a bright future in Brighouse.
