Is Woolworths Wellworth It?
13 02 2009Woolworths may be gone, but it is well and truly unforgotten.
A few weeks ago, we heard that the Barclay Brothers had bought the Woolworths name to use for online selling of some of their famous brand names. But now it seems not only that, but some of the Woolworths stores may be returning under a new name and new management.
Woolworths went into administration in November of last year after it was struggling to pay its £385 million debts. The 800 chain store closed its doors to customers throughout December, and the final stores closed their doors at the beginning of January this year.
New beginnings
However, it is planned that in March of this year, the manager of the Woolworths in Dorchester is going to re-open the shop she has worked in for eighteen years under the new name of Wellworths.
Claire Robertson started working for Woolworths when she was 16 as a Saturday girl in Somerset.
Ms Robertson claims the store in Dorchester “was like her second home”, and was said to be “very sad” about its closure.
However, customers will be able to visit the pick ‘n’ mix counter she used to refill as a teenager once again.
Ms Robertson said: “The idea was very easy [because] Dorchester’s Woolworths was a successful store.
“The getting it onto a business plan and convincing somebody that it was a good idea was slightly more difficult.”
She also added that she hoped to “get back Woolworths customers and attract some new ones as well.”
Future Employees ‘can’t wait’…
Many of the employees of the old Woolworths that have so far been unable to find new employment will be getting new jobs in the new store. Mr Robertson has done her best to make sure that the team she has hired are the same team that worked for her before.
Patty Ball and Terri Edwards are two such examples. They said: “We can’t wait [until it opens] – our little family back together again.”
Economic Limitations
However, starting up a business in the midst of the current economic climate will be no easy trait.
“It would be silly not to thing in this time opening a new retail outlet is not going to be difficult, but people out there need to by foods at good value,” Ms Robertson said.
“We have already sourced out pick ‘n’ mix – I remember as a Saturday girl filling the pick ‘n’ mix counter – again, it has been part of my life. That building feels like my second home.”
What do You Think?
Will Woolworths ever be truly gone? Do you think this store will be a success? Is it a very risky plan, or is it the beginning of a new High Street name? Leave your comments here.
Categories : Business Start-up





