Former Woolworths director Tony Page still believes the brand has a place on the high street, despite its slump into administration nearly ten years ago.
A nostalgic Page has expressed fresh desire to resurrect the defunct retailer – currently owned but not in use by Shop Direct.
According to the hype, Page believes Woolworths still has a place in local communities. He told the Daily Star it could yet be “a strong and prosperous business”.
Is this a brilliant idea or pure madness? Read our thoughts here.
And on the topic of reviving collapsed brands, it emerged today that BHS international boss David Anderson is departing to join Wyevale Garden Centres.
Anderson was instrumental in the launch of BHS.com after the department store chain collapsed a year ago.
He starts his new job as retail operations director at the 150 garden centre chain next week.
BHS’ reincarnation, under new owner Al Mana, will continue in the hands of finance director Rebecca Rajeswaran, who will take Anderson’s role on an interim basis, and Kev Mallinder, managing director of BHS.com.
The jury is still out on whether it will be possible to bring either BHS or Woolworths back from the dead.
Quote of the day
“When Parliament comes back from the election we need to pursue the charge sheet from the Pensions Regulator against him and what the Pensions Regulator got in return.”
– MP Frank Field arguing that Sir Philip Green still faces questions over how he dealt with the BHS pension deficit
Today in numbers
5
The number of Boden concessions that will launch in John Lewis stores by October.
1%
The fall in consumer confidence in the first quarter of 2017, according to Deloitte.
Tomorrow’s agenda
Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of BHS falling into administration so look out for special coverage. There’s also a pre-close update from Carpetright, which should provide a temperature check on the health of the big ticket sector.
Emily Hardy, senior reporter
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