Woolies Watch: What happened to your local Woolworths?
New research shows that 60% of former Woolworths stores have been let. Retail Week is monitoring local reports of the impact these new store openings are having in communities across Britain.
New research from CB Richard Ellis shows that close to 60% of the more than 800 former Woolworths stores have been let or are under offer.
Discount retailers have led the way, acquiring 37% of the Woolies portfolio, the CBRE research showed. Grocers accounted for 31% of shops while fashion retailers snapped up 15%.
Iceland has led the way, snapping up 57 former Woolies stores. B&M Bargains, 99p Stores, Heron Foods, and Home Bargains have also expanded their portfolios by acquiring many units once occupied by Woolworths.
The rate of take-up of the vacant Woolworth stores “has proved much more rapid than news reports suggest”, according to CBRE report. In July, research conducted by The Local Data Company for The Times found that most former Woolies stores were still vacant but CBRE explains the discrepancy by saying that the original Local Data Company research didn’t include stores under offer.
For the last few months, Retail Week has monitored the local press for reports of the impact of new retailers moving into the often prime high street premises once occupied by Woolworth stores.
Wellworths and other rebirths
The highest-profile reopening came in the spring, when former Woolworths store manager Claire Robertson re-opened the Dorchester branch as Wellworths. A BBC documentary about the Wellworths project aired in April, and television crews from around Europe flocked to the Dorset town to follow suit.
Robertson has inspired others. In Stornoway, a new locally-owned Woolworths-like retailer, WeeW, opened on the site of the local M&Co, which in turn had moved into the former Woolworths site. Run by former Woolworths manager Terry Ovenstone and advised by the team behind the Dorchester Wellworths, WeeW planned to use many former Woolworth suppliers.
And in Chippenham, Wiltshire, a local entrepreneur is reportedly drawing up a business plan to launch an independent pick-and-mix store similar to Robertson’s Wellworths.
Rumours that Sir Geoff Mulcahy and former Woolworths managing director Tony Page were working on a plan to launch 200-strong chain of “Woolworths-style” stores have so far borne little fruit.
Huge demand for new retail jobs
Around the country, strong demand for jobs in new stores opening in former Woolworths units have highlighted the effect of the recession on local economies.
The biggest crush came in June when 1,800 people queued to apply for just 25 jobs at a new QD Store in Wellingborough’s former Woolworths.
In Carlisle, B&M Bargains received more than 500 applications to work in its new store in the Cumbrian town’s former Woolies. It later created 40 additional jobs in the store.
Home Bargains similarly drew 500 applications for the 30 jobs at its new store in Galashiels. Some former Woolworths employees in the area later accused Home Bargains parent TJ Morris of reneging on a pledge to re-employ as many ex-Woolies staff as they could.
In Workington, Sports Direct delayeda planned April opening until June, in part to deal with the influx of applications from people eager to work at the store, the Times & Star reported.
When B&M Bargains took over the a new 21,000 sq ft unit in Chorley, Lancashire, it received 120 applications for the 40 jobs it created.
Other highlights
- The 16,000 sq ft former Woolworths unit in Burnley was taken over by the YMCA to create what is reportedly Britain’s largest charity shop.
- In Watford, the local council purchased the 45,000 sq ft, three-floor former Woolworths. As the Watford Observer reports, the move has not been uncontroversial, since the council has refused to reveal how much public money was spent on the unit.
- In Warrington, the former store Woolies has been taken on by a firm called Asco Ltd, which plans to open a supermarket in October. The company’s operations manager Dave Laney told the Warrington Guardian: “We have plans to open between 25 to 30 supermarket style stores over the next three years particularly in the north of England.”
Help us complete the picture: So far, we know the stories behind the more than 200 former Woolworths units listed below. Do you know what happened to the Woolworths store in your area? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.
| Location | Retailer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdare | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Aberdeen | Topman/Topshop and River Island | |
| Abergavenny | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Abergele | Diskos | Details |
| Abertillery | Empty | Details |
| Aberystwyth | Poundland | Details |
| Abingdon | Empty | Details |
| Accrington | Oswaldtwistle Mills | Details |
| Acocks Green | ||
| Addiscombe | Empty | Details |
| Addlestone | Empty | |
| Airdrie | Poundland | |
| Aldershot | ||
| Alfreton | Empty | Details |
| Alloa | Poundland | |
| Alnwick | M&Co | Details |
| Alton | Iceland | Details |
| Altrincham | Details | |
| Amersham | Alworths | Details |
| Ammanford | Iceland | Details |
| Andover | Poundland | Details |
| Antrim | ||
| Arbroath | Empty | Details |
| Archway | Iceland | Details |
| Armagh | Ethel Austin | |
| Ashby De La Zouch | Empty | Details |
| Ashford, Kent | 99p Stores | Details |
| Ashington | Heron Frozen Foods | Details |
| Ashton Under Lyne | ||
| Aveley Estate | Empty | Details |
| Aylesbury | River Island | Details |
| Ayr | ||
| Balham, London | 99p Stores | Details |
| Ballymena | ||
| Banbridge | ||
| Banbury | H&M | Details |
| Bangor, Co Down | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Bangor, Wales | Boots | Details |
| Banstead | Waitrose | Details |
| Bargoed | Office space | Details |
| Barking | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | |
| Barkingside | Veena’s | Details |
| Barmouth | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Barnard Castle | ||
| Barnsley | Iceland | Details |
| Barnstaple | Wilkinson | Details |
| Barnstaple | Wilkinson | Details |
| Barrow-In-Furness | Poundland | Details |
| Barry | 99p Stores | Details |
| Basildon | Poundland | Details |
| Basingstoke | ||
| Bath | Sainsbury’s | Details |
| Bathgate | Poundmart | Details |
| Batley | ||
| Beaconsfield | ||
| Bearwood | ||
| Beccles | (reopened) | Details |
| Beckton | ||
| Bedford | ||
| Bedminster | ||
| Bedworth | Empty | Details |
| Belfast | ||
| Belfast (Park Centre) | ||
| Bell Green | Empty | Details |
| Belle Vale | Store 21 | Details |
| Bellshill | ||
| Belper | Iceland | Details |
| Berwick Upon Tweed | ||
| Bethnal Green | Iceland | Details |
| Beverley | Boots | Details |
| Bexhill On Sea | Iceland | Details |
| Bexleyheath | Empty | |
| Bicester | Iceland | Details |
| Biggleswade | Empty | Details |
| Billericay | Iceland | Details |
| Billingham | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Bilston | Argos | Details |
| Birkenhead | ||
| Birmingham, The Pallasades | Empty | Details |
| Birmingham | ||
| Bishop Aukland | ||
| Bishops Stortford | QD Stores | Details |
| Bitterne | Empty | Details |
| Blackburn | Marks & Spencer | Details |
| Blackheath | Heron Frozen Foods | Details |
| Blackpool | JD Wetherspoon | |
| Blackpool, Bank Hey Street | Empty | Details |
| Blackpool, Talbot Road | Home Bargains | Details |
| Blackwood | ||
| Blairgowrie | Empty | Details |
| Blandford Forum | Iceland | Details |
| Bloxwich | BrightHouse | |
| Blyth | Perfect Home | Details |
| Bodmin | Iceland | Details |
| Bognor Regis | Wilkinson | Details |
| Bolton | ||
| Boness | Empty | |
| Bootle | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Boreham Wood | Iceland | Details |
| Boscombe | ||
| Boston | QD Stores | Details |
| Bourne | ||
| Bow | Iceland | Details |
| Bracknell | ||
| Bradford | ||
| Braintree | Iceland | Details |
| Bramhall | ||
| Brechin | ||
| Brecon | Original Factory Shop | |
| Bridgend | Poundland | Details |
| Bridgnorth | ||
| Bridgwater | ||
| Bridlington | ||
| Bridport | Spar | Details |
| Brierley Hill | ||
| Brighouse | Yorkshire Trading Company | Details |
| Brighton, Western Road | H&M | Details |
| Brighton, London Road | 99p Stores | Details |
| Bristol | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | |
| Bristol, Imperial Park | What Stores Ltd | Details |
| Brixton | temporary store | Details |
| Broadstairs | Iceland | Details |
| Broadwater | Empty | Details |
| Bromley | Empty | |
| Bromsgrove | ||
| Broughty Ferry | ||
| Buchan | Empty | Details |
| Buckingham | M&Co | Details |
| Bulwell | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Burnley | YMCA charity shop | Details |
| Burnt Oak (Edgware) | ||
| Burslem | Empty | Details |
| Burton On Trent | ||
| Bury St Edmunds | Empty | Details |
| Buxton | ||
| Byker | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Caernarfon | Empty | Details |
| Caerphilly | ||
| Camberley | Empty | |
| Camberwell (Denmark Hill) | 99p Stores | Details |
| Camborne | ||
| Cambridge | QD Stores | Details |
| Camden Town | Sports Direct | Details |
| Campbeltown | Empty | Details |
| Cannock | Poundland | Details |
| Canterbury | Empty | Details |
| Canvey | 99p Stores | Details |
| Canvey Island | ||
| Cardiff (Albany Road) | Home Bargains | |
| Cardiff (Clifton Street) | Tesco Express | |
| Cardiff (Cowbridge Rd East) | Home Bargains | |
| Cardigan | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Carlisle | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Carmarthen | HypaXtra | Details |
| Castle Douglas | ||
| Castleford | Poundworld | Details |
| Caterham | Co-operative Group | |
| Chadwell Heath | ||
| Chatham | Primark | |
| Cheetham Hill | Matalan | |
| Chelmsford | The Entertainer | |
| Chelmsley Wood | ||
| Cheltenham | Empty | Details |
| Chepstow | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Chertsey | ||
| Chester | Primark | Details |
| Chester Le Street | Empty | Details |
| Chesterfield | ||
| Chichester | Boots | Details |
| Chigwell | Empty | Details |
| Chingford Mount | 99p Stores | Details |
| Chippenham | Empty | Details |
| Chorley | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Chorlton Cum Hardy | ||
| Christchurch | 99p Stores | |
| Cinderford | ||
| Cirencester | Empty | Details |
| Clacton on Sea | Empty | Details |
| Clapham High St | Boots | |
| Cleethorpes | ||
| Clevedon | Proper Job | Details |
| Cleveleys | Home Bargains | Details |
| Clifton | indoor market | Details |
| Clifton | bingo hall and amusement arcade | Details |
| Cliftonville | Empty | |
| Clitheroe | WH Smith | Details |
| Clydebank | ||
| Coalville | Empty | |
| Coatbridge | ||
| Colchester | Empty | Details |
| Coleraine | Peacocks | Details |
| Colwyn Bay | Empty | Details |
| Congleton | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Connswater | ||
| Consett | BrightHouse | |
| Conwy | Spar | Details |
| Corby | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Corstorphine | ||
| Cosham | ||
| Cotteridge | ||
| Coulsdon | Details | |
| Coventry | ||
| Coventry | Heron Frozen Foods | Details |
| Cowdenbeath | ||
| Cowes | Empty | Details |
| Cowley | 99p Stores | Details |
| Crawley | Poundland | Details |
| Crewkerne | Empty | Details |
| Cromer | Iceland | Details |
| Cross Gates | ||
| Crouch End | Waitrose | Details |
| Crowborough | ||
| Croydon | H&M | Details |
| Crystal Palace | Empty | Details |
| Cumbernauld | ||
| Cupar | Pound-Mart | Details |
| Cwmbran | ||
| Dagenham | Empty | |
| Dalkeith | ||
| Darlington | Empty | Details |
| Dartmouth | ||
| Dawlish | ||
| Deal | Empty | Details |
| Debden Estate | Empty | |
| Denbigh | Empty | Details |
| Derby | ||
| Derby (Westfield) | TJ Hughes | Details |
| Dereham | Poundland | Details |
| Devizes | Iceland | Details |
| Dewsbury | ||
| Didcot | Alworths | Details |
| Dingwall | ||
| Diss | Carpetright | Details |
| Doncaster | Empty | Details |
| Dorchester | Wellworths | Details |
| Dorking | ||
| Douglas | Empty | Details |
| Dover | Peacocks | Details |
| Dovercourt | Iceland | Details |
| Downham | Empty | |
| Driffield | ||
| Dudley | “mini shopping mall” | Details |
| Dumbarton | ||
| Dumfries | Empty (under offer?) | |
| Dundee | ||
| Dungannon | ||
| Dunoon | Home Hardware Scotland | Details |
| Dunstable | Empty | Details |
| Durham | Tesco | Details |
| Earlstown | ||
| East Dereham | Poundland | |
| East Grinstead | Empty | |
| East Ham | Poundland | Details |
| East Kilbride | Empty | Details |
| East Molesey | ||
| Eastleigh | Empty | Details |
| Eastwood | ||
| Ebbw Vale | ||
| Edgware | 99p Stores | Details |
| Edgware (Station Road) | ||
| Edinburgh | Poundstrecher | |
| Edinburgh (Big W) | ||
| Egham | Empty | Details |
| Elephant And Castle | ||
| Elgin | Poundland | Details |
| Ellesmere Port | ||
| Elm Park | ||
| Eltham | 99p Stores | Details |
| Ely | Empty | Details |
| Enfield | 99p Stores | Details |
| Enfield Highway | ||
| Enniskillen | ||
| Epsom | ||
| Erdington | Details | |
| Erith | Empty | |
| Evesham | Alworths | Details |
| Exeter | Empty | Details |
| Exmouth | Iceland | Details |
| Fakenham | (reopened) | Details |
| Falkirk | Empty | Details |
| Falmouth | Empty | Details |
| Fareham | Next | Details |
| Farnborough | ||
| Farnham | Empty | |
| Farnworth | ||
| Felixstowe | Peacocks | Details |
| Fishponds | ||
| Fleet | ||
| Fleetwood | ||
| Flint | Empty | Details |
| Folkstone | Empty | |
| Forfar | Pound-Mart | |
| Fort William | Mountain Warehouse | Details |
| Fraserburgh | Iceland | Details |
| Frome | Iceland | Details |
| Gainsborough | ||
| Galashiels | Home Bargains | Details |
| Gateshead | Empty | Details |
| Gateshead | ||
| Gillingham | ||
| Gillingham | ||
| Girvan | ||
| Glasgow | ||
| Glasgow (Argyle St) | Empty | Details |
| Glasgow (Byres Rd) | Tesco Express | Details |
| Glasgow (Dunbarton Rd) | ||
| Glasgow (Shawlands) | ||
| Glastonbury | Earthfare | Details |
| Glenrothes | ||
| Glossop | ||
| Gloucester | Empty | Details |
| Godalming | M&Co | Details |
| Goole | ||
| Gosforth | ||
| Gosport | Empty | Details |
| Grantham | ||
| Gravesend | ||
| Grays | ||
| Great Malvern | Iceland | Details |
| Great Yarmouth | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Greenford | Iceland | Details |
| Greenock | ||
| Grimsby | New Look | Details |
| Guernsey | Creasey’s | Details |
| Guildford | Empty (TK Maxx?) | |
| Hackney | Iceland | Details |
| Hadleigh | ||
| Hailsham | Iceland | Details |
| Hailsham | ||
| Halesowen | 99p Stores | Details |
| Halifax | Waremart | Details |
| Halifax | ||
| Halstead | ||
| Hamilton | ||
| Hanley | TJ Hughes | Details |
| Harborough | Empty | Details |
| Harlow | Empty | Details |
| Harold Hill | Iceland | Details |
| Harrogate | Boots | Details |
| Harrow | ||
| Hartlepool | Empty | Details |
| Haslemere | ||
| Hastings | Sports Direct | |
| Haverfordwest | ||
| Haverhill | Iceland | Details |
| Hawick | Farmfoods | Details |
| Hayes | ||
| Hayes | ||
| Haywards Heath | Co-operative Group | |
| Heanor | ||
| Heckmondwike | ||
| Helensburgh | Wilkies | Details |
| Helston | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Hemel Hempstead | Empty | Details |
| Henley | Sainsbury’s | Details |
| Hereford | ||
| Herne Bay | Iceland | Details |
| Hertford | ||
| Heswall | ||
| Hexham | Iceland | Details |
| High Wycombe | ||
| Highgate | Iceland | Details |
| Hillsborough | ||
| Hinckley | ||
| Hitchin | Empty | Details |
| Hoddesdon | ||
| Holbeach | Empty | Details |
| Holyhead | Empty | Details |
| Holywell | Empty | Details |
| Honiton | Iceland | Details |
| Hook (Chessington) | ||
| Horncastle | ||
| Hornchurch | 99p Stores | Details |
| Houghton Le Spring | Empty | Details |
| Hounslow | ||
| Hove | ||
| Huddersfield | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Hull | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Huntingdon | 99p Stores | Details |
| Hunstanton | (reopened) | Details |
| Hyde | ||
| Hythe | ||
| Ilford | Wilkinson | Details |
| Ilkeston | ||
| Ilkley | Empty | |
| Inverness | Empty | Details |
| Ipswich | Empty | |
| Irvine | Wilkinson | Details |
| Jarrow | ||
| Jersey | ||
| Johnstone | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Keighley | ||
| Kendal | Home Bargains | Details |
| Kenilworth | WH Smith | Details |
| Kentish Town, London | Sainsbury’s | Details |
| Kenton | ||
| Keswick | ||
| Kettering | QD Stores | Details |
| Kidderminster | Empty | Details |
| Kilburn High Road | Iceland | Details |
| Kilmarnock | converted to 2 stores | Details |
| Kings Heath | Poundland | Details |
| Kings Lynn | ||
| Kingsbridge | ||
| Kingsbury | FruitAsia | Details |
| Kingstanding | ||
| Kingston Upon Thames | ||
| Kingswinford | Cooltrader | Details |
| Kingswood (Bristol) | British Heart Foundation | Details |
| Kirkcaldy | Peacocks | Details |
| Kirkintilloch | ||
| Kirkwall | ||
| Lanark | ||
| Lancaster | TK Maxx | Details |
| Lancing | ||
| Largs | B&M Bargains | |
| Leamington Spa | H&M | Details |
| Ledbury | Empty | Details |
| Ledbury | ||
| Lee | ||
| Leeds | ||
| Leek | Yorkshire Trading Company | Details |
| Leigh | Empty | Details |
| Leigh On Sea | ||
| Leigh Park | ||
| Leighton Buzzard | 99p Stores | Details |
| Leith | ||
| Leominster | ||
| Letchworth | Empty | Details |
| Leven | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Lewes | Empty | |
| Lewisham | H&M | Details |
| Leyton | Iceland | Details |
| Leytonstone | Temporary gallery | Details |
| Lichfield | Details | |
| Lisburn | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Liskeard | Empty | Details |
| Littlehampton | Empty | Details |
| Liverpool | ||
| Liverpool | ||
| Liverpool | ||
| Livingston | Empty | |
| Llandudno | Publishers Book Clearance | Details |
| Llanelli | Ethel Austin | Details |
| Lochee | ||
| Londonderry | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Long Eaton | ||
| Longton | Empty | Details |
| Loughborough | Empty | |
| Loughton | Empty | Details |
| Louth | Bargain Buys | |
| Lower Edmonton | ||
| Lowestoft | QD Stores | Details |
| Ludlow | Spar | Details |
| Lurgan | Poundstretcher | Details |
| Lydney | ||
| Lymington | 99p Stores | Details |
| Lytham | Tesco Express | Details |
| Macclesfield | ||
| Macclesfield | Iceland | Details |
| Maesteg | ||
| Magherafelt | ||
| Maghull | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Maidenhead | Wilkinson | Details |
| Maidstone | Empty | |
| Maldon | ||
| Malton | Empty | |
| Malvern | Iceland | Details |
| Manchester | ||
| Mansfield | ||
| March | ||
| Margate | Empty | |
| Market Drayton | Empty | Details |
| Market Harborough | New Look | Details |
| Marlborough | cut-price Christmas shop | Details |
| Maryport | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Mastrick | ||
| Matlock | Empty | Details |
| Matlock | Iceland | Details |
| Mayport | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Melksham | ||
| Melton Mowbray | Yorkshire Trading Company | Details |
| Mere Green | Empty | Details |
| Merthyr Tydfil | ||
| Metro Centre | TK Maxx | |
| Mexborough | ||
| Middlesbrough Hillstreet | Waremart | Details |
| Milford Haven | Christmas market? | Details |
| Mill Hill | Iceland | Details |
| Milton Keynes | TK Maxx | Details |
| Minehead | Iceland | Details |
| Mold | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Mold | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Monmouth | Iceland | Details |
| Montrose | ||
| Moray | Empty (Poundland?) | Details |
| Morden | Timmy’s Worth It! | |
| Morecambe | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Morpeth | Iceland | Details |
| Morpeth | ||
| Morriston | Iceland | Details |
| Motherwell | ||
| Musselburgh | ||
| Muswell Hill | 99p Stores | Details |
| Nailsea | ||
| Nairn | ||
| Nantwich | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Nantwich | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Neath | Poundland | Details |
| Nelson | ||
| New Addington | 99p Stores | Details |
| New Ferry | ||
| New Malden | temporary store | Details |
| New Milton | ||
| Newark | ||
| Newbury | Wilkinson | Details |
| Newcastle | 99p Stores | Details |
| Newcastle Under Lyme | 99p Stores | Details |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | Empty | Details |
| Newhaven | ||
| Newmarket | QD Stores | Details |
| Newport | Poundland | Details |
| Newport Pagnell | Empty | Details |
| Newquay | ||
| Newry | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Newton Aycliffe | ||
| Newtown | ||
| Newtownards | Iceland | Details |
| North Berwick | ||
| North Cheam | ||
| North Finchley | Poundland | Details |
| North Shields | Cramlington Textiles | Details |
| North Walsham | QD Stores | Details |
| Northallerton | Wilkinson | Details |
| Northampton | ||
| Northenden | Cooltrader | Details |
| Northfield | ||
| Northwich | ||
| Norwich | ||
| Notting Hill | Poundland | Details |
| Nottingham | Poundworld | Details |
| Nuneaton | Empty | Details |
| Oban | ||
| Old Swan | ||
| Oldfield Park | ||
| Oldham | ||
| Ormskirk | Iceland | Details |
| Orpington | ||
| Oswestry | Home Bargains | Details |
| Oswestry | ||
| Otley | Yorkshire Trading Company | Details |
| Oxted | Southern Co-operative | Details |
| Paignton | ||
| Palmers Green | Iceland | Details |
| Parkstone | 89p More For Less | Details |
| Peckham | Details | |
| Pembroke Dock | ||
| Penarth | Sainsbury’s | Details |
| Penge | 99p Stores | Details |
| Penrith | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Penzance | Poundland | Details |
| Perth | ||
| Peterborough | Empty | Details |
| Peterhead | Iceland | Details |
| Peterlee | ||
| Petersfield | 99p Stores | Details |
| Petts Wood | ||
| Pinner | ||
| Pinner (Rayner’s Lane) | Iceland | Details |
| Plumstead | Iceland | Details |
| Plymouth | Empty | Details |
| Plymstock | Empty | Details |
| Pontefract | ||
| Pontypool | Iceland | Details |
| Pontypridd | ||
| Poole | Empty | Details |
| Poplar | ||
| Poplar | Iceland | Details |
| Port Glasgow | ||
| Port Talbot | ||
| Portadown | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Porth | ||
| Porthcawl | B&M Bargains | |
| Porthmadog | ||
| Portmadog | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Portslade | Iceland | Details |
| Portsmouth | ||
| Portsmouth | ||
| Potters Bar | Carpetright | Details |
| Prescot | Ethel Austin | Details |
| Prestatyn | Home Bargains | Details |
| Prestatyn | Home Bargains | Details |
| Preston | Next | Details |
| Prestwick | ||
| Pudsey | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Putney | TK Maxx | Details |
| Pwllheli | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Radford | Newey’s | Details |
| Ramsgate | ||
| Rawtenstall | ||
| Rayleigh | restaurant | Details |
| Reading | Details | |
| Redcar | Yorkshire Trading Company | Details |
| Redditch | Empty | Details |
| Redhill | Wilkinson | |
| Retford | ||
| Rhyl | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Richmond | ||
| Ringwood | Iceland | Details |
| Ripon | ||
| Rochdale | ||
| Romford | ||
| Romford | ||
| Romsey | Co-operative Group | Details |
| Rose Hill Sutton | ||
| Ross On Wye | Carpetright | Details |
| Rotherham | ||
| Rotherham | ||
| Rothesay | ||
| Royston | Empty | Details |
| Rugby | 99p Stores | |
| Rugby | Details | |
| Rugeley | Details | |
| Ruislip | ||
| Runcorn | ||
| Rushden | ||
| Rustington | Original Factory Shop | Details |
| Rutherglen | Pound-Mart | |
| Ryde | M&Co | Details |
| Rye | Empty | Details |
| Saffron Walden | Empty | Details |
| Salford | ||
| Salisbury | ||
| Saltcoats | ||
| Sandbach | ||
| Sandbach | WHSmith | Details |
| Sanderstead | ||
| Sandown | ||
| Scarborough | ||
| Scunthorpe | ||
| Scunthorpe | Waremart | Details |
| Seaford | ||
| Seaton | Carpetright | Details |
| Selby | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Selsdon | Empty | |
| Sevenoaks | ||
| Shaftesbury | ||
| Shanklin | ||
| Shaw | ||
| Sheerness | Empty | Details |
| Sheffield | ||
| Sheldon | ||
| Shepton Mallet | ||
| Sherborne | ||
| Sheringham | Sainsbury’s | Details |
| Shipley | ||
| Shirehampton | ||
| Shirley | 99p Stores | Details |
| Shoreham By Sea | ||
| Shotton | ||
| Shotton | Diskos | Details |
| Shrewsbury | H&M and Home Bargains | Details |
| Sidcup | 99p Stores | Details |
| Sidcup | Machine Mart | Details |
| Sidmouth | M&Co | Details |
| Sidmouth | ||
| Sittingbourne | ||
| Skegness | Empty | Details |
| Skipton | ||
| Sleaford | Yorkshire Trading Company | Details |
| Slough | ||
| Slough | ||
| Solihull | New Look | Details |
| South Harrow | ||
| South Oxhey | ||
| South Shields | Poundland and Primark | Details |
| South Woodford | International Supermarket | Details |
| Southall | 99p Stores | Details |
| Southampton | TK Maxx | Details |
| Southbourne | ||
| Southend | Empty | Details |
| Southport | H&M and New Look | Details |
| Southsea | ||
| Southwark | Empty | |
| Southwick | ||
| Spalding | The 90p Store | Details |
| Spennymoor | ||
| St Albans | Empty | Details |
| St Annes | B&M Bargains | Details |
| St Annes On Sea | ||
| St Austell | ||
| St Helens | Asco | Details |
| St Ives, Cambridgshire | Empty | Details |
| St Ives, Cornwall | Empty | |
| St Neots | Iceland | Details |
| St. Andrews | ||
| Stafford | Sports Direct | Details |
| Staines | ||
| Stamford | ||
| Stanley | ||
| Stevenage | Wilkinson | Details |
| Stirling | ||
| Stockbridge | Scotmid | Details |
| Stockport | ||
| Stockton High Street | Empty | Details |
| Stockton On Tees (Oot) | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Stockton Portrack Lane | Empty | Details |
| Stoke | Empty | Details |
| Stoke Newington | Iceland | Details |
| Stone | Ethel Austin | Details |
| Stornoway | M&Co, WeeW | Details |
| Stourbridge | ||
| Stourport On Severn | ||
| Stowmarket | Peacocks | Details |
| Strabane | ||
| Stranraer | ||
| Stratford | 99p Stores | Details |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | Poundland | Details |
| Streatham | 99p Stores | Details |
| Stretford | ||
| Strood | Iceland | Details |
| Stroud | 99p Stores | Details |
| Sudbury | Iceland | Details |
| Surbiton | ||
| Sutton | Peacocks | |
| Sutton Coldfield | Empty | Details |
| Sutton In Ashfield | ||
| Swadlincote | ||
| Swaffham | Iceland | Details |
| Swanage | Nixon’s Home Hardware | Details |
| Swansea | Empty | Details |
| Swindon | Empty | Details |
| Swinton | ||
| Swiss Cottage | Empty | |
| Tamworth | Home Bargains | Details |
| Taunton | TK Maxx | Details |
| Tavistock | Fashion Direct | Details |
| Teddington | ||
| Teignmouth | ||
| Telford Shopping Centre | Empty | Details |
| Tenby | Tesco Express | Details |
| Tenterden | Original Factory Shop | |
| Thame | ||
| Thetford | ||
| Thorne | ||
| Thurrock | ||
| Thurso | Ethel Austin | Details |
| Tiverton | ||
| Tonbridge | One Pound or Less | Details |
| Tonypandy | ||
| Tooting | Poundland | Details |
| Torquay | H&M | Details |
| Totnes | ||
| Totton | Empty | Details |
| Tredegar | ||
| Troon | ||
| Trowbridge | British Heart Foundation | Details |
| Truro | Poundland | Details |
| Tunbridge Wells | Topshop, Topman | Details |
| Twickenham | Empty | Details |
| Uckfield | Empty | |
| Ulverston | ||
| Upminster | Iceland | Details |
| Upper Norwood | ||
| Urmston | ||
| Uttoxeter | ||
| Uxbridge | Poundland | Details |
| Wakefield | Iceland | Details |
| Wallasey | Poundland | |
| Wallington | Iceland | Details |
| Wallsend | Well Worth It | Details |
| Walsall | TJ Hughes | Details |
| Waltham Cross | Poundland | Details |
| Walthamstow | Wilkinson | Details |
| Walton | Tesco | Details |
| Walton On Thames | Carpetright | |
| Walton On The Naze | ||
| Wanstead | Tesco | Details |
| Wantage | Dorothy Perkins | Details |
| Warminster | Alworths | Details |
| Warrington | Asco | Details |
| Warwick | ||
| Waterloo | Home Bargains | Details |
| Waterlooville | ||
| Watford | bought by Watford Borough Council | Details |
| Wealdstone | Tesco Express | Details |
| Wednesbury | BrightHouse | |
| Wednesfield | ||
| Welling | Carpetright | |
| Wellingborough | QD Stores | Details |
| Wellington | Heron Frozen Foods | Details |
| Wellington | ||
| Wells | ||
| Welshpool | M&Co | Details |
| Wembley | Empty | |
| Wembley | ||
| West Bromwich | ||
| West Byfleet | ||
| West Ealing | Poundland | Details |
| West Hounslow | ||
| West Norwood | Sainsbury’s | Details |
| West Wickham | ||
| Westborough | Peacocks | Details |
| Weston Super Mare | Ethel Austin, Au Naturale | Details |
| Weymouth | Empty (TK Maxx?) | Details |
| Whitby | Outdoor World | Details |
| Whitby | Empty | Details |
| Whitchurch | ||
| Whitehaven | Empty | Details |
| Whitley Bay | Empty | Details |
| Whitstable | Iceland | Details |
| Wick | Ethel Austin | Details |
| Wickford | Empty | Details |
| Widnes | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Wigan | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Wimbledon | Empty | Details |
| Wimborne | Fat Face | Details |
| Wimbourne | Fat Face | Details |
| Windsor | ||
| Winton | ||
| Wisbech | 99p Stores | Details |
| Wishaw | ||
| Witham | 99p Stores | Details |
| Withernsea | ||
| Witney | 99p Stores | Details |
| Woking | Next | Details |
| Wokingham | Alworths | Details |
| Wolverhampton | Discount Foods | Details |
| Wood Green Mall | New Look | Details |
| Woodbridge | Empty | Details |
| Woolston | Empty | Details |
| Worcester | TK Maxx | Details |
| Workington | Sports Direct | Details |
| Worksop | B&M Bargains | Details |
| Worthing | H&M | Details |
| Wrexham | Empty | Details |
| Wycombe | Empty | Details |
| Wymondham | Co-operative Group | Details |
| Yardley | ||
| Yate | Peacocks and Bonmarche | Details |
| Yeovil |
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Readers' comments (180)
Can you help us fill in the blanks in the list above? Please let us know what is happening at the site of your local former Woolworths.
Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 9:17 am
Blackfen Parade, Sidcup is being taken by Machine Mart Ltd. Retailer of Tools and machinery
Unsuitable or offensive?
Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 9:19 am
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/pages/stores/location/sidcup
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Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 10:01 am
I wonder how many shops have moved into Woolworths leaving other untis empty.
In Luton, just prior to woolworths going bust they pulled and M&S took the unit, as yet there has been no taker on the old M&S unit.
Other local stores including Dunstable, Hitchin, St Albans, Bedford, Hemel and Milton Keynes still have the To Let sign hoisted high. Only Leighton Buzzard has found a taker.
I suspect some of these shops may be empty for many years to come, and Watford Council should be commended for their action in trying to prevent a large empty unit blighting the town centre.
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Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 11:14 am
Bristol had several Woolworths stores. One in Kingswood Bristol will open on the 2nd Sept as The British Heart Foundatiion Electrical and furniture store.
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Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 1:26 pm
Having reviewed the list you have incorrectly recorded the occupants of the former Woolworths store in Stratford E15 as Poundland when in fact it is 99p Stores. The former Woolworths store in Barking Essex is still up for let, although it is going to be reduced in size to enable a large supermarket to be built behind it.
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Editor's reply
Yes, you are right about Stratford. This was probably confused with the listing for Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Stratford (E15) 99P Stores was notable for the appearance at its opening by ... The Cheeky Girls.
Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 2:41 pm
The Clifton, Nottingham site is to become an amusemant arcade although many of the local residents are protesting against it.
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homenews/Residents-oppose-Clifton-Woolworths-plan/article-1290747-detail/article.html
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Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 6:44 pm
The former Woolworths in Westfield Derby is going to become TJ Hughes
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/T-J-Hughes-set-open-Woolworths-site/article-1189087-detail/article.html
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Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 8:09 pm
Clas Ohlson has been reported to have signed the lease for the Reading Woolworths site:
http://www.getreading.co.uk/jobs/news/s/2055785_useful_shop_all_set_to_open_in_old_woolies_store
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Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 8:15 pm
WHSmith will be opending in site of Woolworths in Clitheroe:
http://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/clitheroenews/WH-Smith-store-to-open.5595286.jp
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Anonymous | 29-Aug-2009 8:26 am
Woolworths in Penzance , Cornwall is also now a Poundland .
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/cornishman/penzance/Discount-retailer-s-opening/article-1171885-detail/article.html
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Anonymous | 29-Aug-2009 8:09 pm
Dover's Woolworths is now Peacocks.
Tunbridge Wells is under offer - not known who too.
Sadly Canterbury's and Deal's remain empty and unloved despite them being in thriving retail towns.
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Anonymous | 29-Aug-2009 9:29 pm
Falkirk is still empty
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Anonymous | 30-Aug-2009 11:43 am
The store in Poole is still empty.
The store listed above in Poole as a 89p more or less store is in Parkstone and not what you would call Poole.
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Editor's reply
Thanks for the correction. We will fix that with the next update of the list above.
Anonymous | 31-Aug-2009 8:54 am
Kenilworth's Woolies is being split in two and WH Smith will open shortly. http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/news/WHSmith-to-move-into-empty.5487979.jp
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Anonymous | 31-Aug-2009 8:58 am
Leamington Spa's Woolworths opened as H&M in July.
http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/HM-taking-the-place-of.5332574.jp
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Anonymous | 31-Aug-2009 12:16 pm
Milton Keynes is now TK Maxx, and trading well
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Anonymous | 31-Aug-2009 4:31 pm
M&CO have aquired the following Woolworths stores
In addition to those listed above
Buckingham (now open)
Sidmouth
Godalming (relocation)
Ryde
in addition M&Co has another 10 Woolworths where terms have been agreed
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Anonymous | 31-Aug-2009 10:14 pm
WoolworthsBootle(New Strand) is a B&M Bargains
Woolworths Maghull is a B&M Bargains
Woolworths Prescot(Liverpool) is to be Ethel Austin
I believe Southport and Ormskirk branches are taken, but I don't know by which trader
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Anonymous | 1-Sep-2009 0:24 am
Bangor, Co. Down is now B&M Bargains; Lisburn, Co. Antrim is also B&M Bargains; Armagh City is now 'Around a Pound'; Woolworths Portadown, Co. Armagh is understood to have been assigned to Ethel Austin; Coleraine, Co. Londonderry has gone to Peacocks.
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Neil Keighery | 1-Sep-2009 12:33 pm
Old woolworths site in St Ives, Cornwall - is now empty (contrary to the note above about it being a clearance store) Saw it when on holiday beginning of August 2009.
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Editor's reply
Yes, the last time that was updated was in June, so the temporary shop has probably moved out now. We will update this on the list.