Woolworths could make a return to British high streets

The UK could see the return of its long lost beloved Woolworths after the store vanished from high streets 15 years ago.

Loved for its pick ‘n’ mixes, CDs, Ladybird clothing range and its WorthIt! Value range, ‘Woolies’ was a favourite among shoppers for many years.

But in 2009 amid the financial crisis, all 807 of its British shops closed down, and it has remained a fond nostalgic memory in the hearts of many who shopped there ever since.

The closures resulted in 27,000 job losses and Woolworths was just one of many victims claimed in the financial turmoil of 2008.

After its collapse, the brand in Germany – where it is known as Woolworth – was saved by HH Holding.

But now it’s current German owner, Roman Heini, has dropped a huge hint that its shops could be making a comeback in the UK.

Mr Heini said the UK is on his ‘bucket list’ of destinations as he seeks to expand internationally.

In a statement to the BBC, the German Woolworth was unable to confirm plans to open shops again in the UK saying: “Nothing is imminent… but it may be in the mix for the mid- or long-term future.”

It also mentioned how if it did return, it may have to make changes to the iconic name to avoid ‘confusion’.

The statement continued: “The brand name ‘Woolworth’ (without the ‘s’) is owned by us throughout Europe. Should we ever plan to return to the UK, we would scrutinise the naming rights to minimise the risk of confusion. A transfer of rights could help if necessary.”

Woolworths originated in the US and operated for 100 years in the UK, having opened its first store in Liverpool in 1909. It had 807 British stores at the time of its permanent closure in 2009.

The news comes after Mr Heini said he was pushing to ‘make Woolworth great again’ as he looked to expand both domestically and abroad. The chain has 640 shops, including in Austria and Poland.

However, its offerings have changed since we last entered a Woolies store. Under Mr Heini, Woolworth Germany has moved in the direction of selling basic clothing wear and homeware, which he says is at ‘unbeatable prices’.

Mr Heini said that 90 per cent of its products were its own home brand and that 6,000 of the 10,000 products it offered were under €3.

“I don’t know of any brands where the recognition will be as high as it is in Britain, without having any stores,” Mr Heini added.

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