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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Lee Grimsditch

Everyone agrees 'best crisps ever' were sold at lost 'British Aldi' that needs to return

A lost budget supermarket with unbeatable prices needs to come back to British high streets according to ECHO readers.

Yesterday, the Liverpool Echo ran a story on Kwik Save, the lost budget supermarket chain that collapsed in 2007. And as people across the country are feeling the pinch right now, Kwik Save, described as the 'British Aldi ' for its similar business model, is a supermarket that ECHO readers would welcome back.

Recognisable for their unmistakable red and white bags and 'no frills' budget range, Kwik Save stores were a familiar sight on our high streets for nearly 50 years. Nostalgia for the lost supermarket has also meant that its once ubiquitous bags now fetch over £20 on auction website eBay.

Following the story's publication, hundreds of ECHO readers took to the Facebook and website comments to share their memories of shopping in their local 'Kwiky'. Others commented to say that it was also the supermarket that gave them their first job.

On Facebook, Shaz Merner said: "Worked in the Wavertree branch on Overton Street - it was my first job that my next door neighbour got me and the weekly envelopes with your wage slip were brilliant. Met some amazing people and some absolutely horrendous managers. As cashiers we were quicker than Aldi".

Sue Tague, who worked at the same branch, agreed, commenting: "Yes, we were the fastest cashiers. Knew the price of every item instore even though we got price changes on a Monday morning".

Barry Rathbone Ledsom said: "How the staff remembered every price always baffled me! They were even quicker at checkout than Aldi!"

Ex-Kwik Save cashier Debbie Jordan revealed how they managed to price up the goods so fast. She said: "I worked there from 1982. We had the prices drummed into us.

"Every Monday, we had a price change when 20 or 30 items changed price. They were drummed into us too."

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Many readers were of the opinion that Kwik Save needed to make a comeback on our high streets. While some revealed how much they loved working there.

Kerry Richardson said: "Used to work for Kwik Save, best job I ever had." Tez White commented: "Should bring it back, [it] was the best supermarket for bargains, etc."

Tracey Stocks said: "Wish we could have it back - better than any supermarket." While Kevin Walker also had fond memories: "Worked in the Heswall branch years ago. Incredible memories. Loved the place."

Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.

And as well as speedy cashiers and low prices, there was one brand of crisp that everybody seemed to remember and love. Paul French said: "Remembered fondly for the "Wheelz" - couldn't buy them anywhere else."

Nichola Tilley posted: "Remember loving their big bags of Wheelz crisps. Bag was massive, used to sneak them in the cinema." While Sharon Leneghan said: "I loved them, wish I could find them now."

Another common memory was having a Kwik Save bag to carry your P.E. kit when you were a school kid. While for some readers, it was other memories that stuck out in their minds.

The latest series of Memory Lane is in major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Home Bargains and selected newsagents now. This series of the bumper picture special looks at fun in the sun - with stunning photographs and treasured memories of family holidays from years gone by. You can also buy Memory Lane online here.

David Hughes said: "My school trip picnic which contained smelly egg sandwich was always carried in a Kwik save bag."

While Tess Simpson recalled: "I remember my then two-year-old daughter going missing in the Kwiky on Muirhead Avenue. Found her asleep on the shelf with the marrowfat peas."

READ NEXT:

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'Ahead of its time' family restaurant once served up bear on its menu

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