WalesOnline readers have some fond memories of Woolworths and many of them want to see it return to our high streets. A recent YouGov poll asked which defunct shop people wanted to see make a comeback - and 49% said Woolworths.
When we told our readers, many were quick to share their own views. Lots of them involved pick and mix, but the overall theme was one of fond memories for Woolies.
Julie, remembering the good old days of the high street, said: "I really miss shops like Woolworths and also Debenhams. There's nothing better than actually seeing and touching something you're thinking of buying."
READ MORE: Half of people in Britain want Woolworths to return
Some were more sceptical, with Georgina asking: "They want it to return but would they actually go and shop there, or do they just like to reminisce about 'better times'?" However, Vicky pointed out: "It's the likes of Woolworths and Debenhams that make you want to shop on the high street."
Some people pointed out that it would have to compete with similar brands like B&M, but Claire said: "Woolworths was loads better than B and M and Home Bargains, would love Woolworths back." However, some people had a sober truth to point out - with Kieron saying: "If a fraction of the “half the people in Britain” used it then they wouldn’t have gone bust," and Lee saying: "But it failed because not enough people shopped there?"
People also remembered other reasons it went bust. Jonathan said: "I think the supermarkets are to blame too. I remember when my local Tesco started selling CDs etc at the fraction of the price Woolworths were selling them. I used to support my local Woolworths but then think could have got it cheaper at Tesco."
Many people had specific memories of things they used to buy. Pamela said: "Their range of ladybird school uniform were great quality," and Melanie remembered: "I loved Woolies, especially around xmas time."
Lots of people had memories of specific branches, including Newport, Bargoed and Aberdare. Susan, who used to work in the Clifton Street branch in Cardiff, said working there was "the good old days."
Robert pointed out: "There is still Woolies in Sydney Australia and it is well used. Remember shopping in Woolies on the Edgware Road when I a very very young lad." South Africa also has its own chain of Woolworths stores although they bear no relation to either the discontinued UK brand or the Australian one.
As well as Woolworths and Debenhams, people said they wanted to see other shops return too. Gillian said: "Would also like C & A to return. When I was in Egypt I met a lady with very attractive outfit on.
"She bought it from C & A Paris. They had closed in UK sadly. I bought many a lovely outfit from them over the years. Always a reasonable price too."
Lorna had fond memories of working in Woolworths for five years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She said: "It was hard work, well my departments were. Toys especially over the winter period and gardening in the spring to autumn period. The upside was the toys. We had Corgi, Matchbox and Tonka.
"There were Bond cars, Thunderbirds, Star Trek, Starsky and Hutch, Kojak, then there were Airfix kits, dolls ,cuddly toys, board games and electronic games like Simon."
There are currently no plans to bring Woolworths back - although a hoax went around in 2020 that seemed to indicate the stores were coming back, the brand's owners had to confirm that it was a fake.
READ NEXT:
