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Anyone miss shopping in Woolworths?

(89 Posts)
Cabbie21 Fri 23-May-25 10:06:12

Boyes in my small market town is well used. Between that shop and the Handicentre you can get everything you need( non-food) and more. The staff are so helpful too. In fact I rarely buy anything online. Patronise local shops or lose them.

Astitchintime Fri 23-May-25 10:01:42

keepingquiet

Funny how they had to close because people stopped shopping there- we had superstores and out of town retail parks.

I have a Boyes store near me and it is wonderful- they sell everything in there including sweets you can't buy elsewhere. It is a treasure trove right on my doorstep just like Woolworths used to be...great friendly staff too and I rarely have to queue at the till because not many people go there!
I wonder why that is...? Oh, of course, everyone's shopping on-line now.

I like Boyes stores too. Even though I have to travel I’d far sooner make that effort than buy online………buttons, thread, yarn etc just don’t present well 8n a photo on a website, much better to see them ‘in the flesh’. I know I have the cost of travel on top but having a considerable list - not just haberdashery - does make it worthwhile . No, I don’t have shares in Boyes 🤣

Witzend Fri 23-May-25 10:00:44

IIRC my elder sister once had either a Saturday or a summer holiday job in Woolies - at 2/- an hour. It seemed a bit stingy even then (probably mid 60s).

Witzend Fri 23-May-25 09:59:00

Not now it’s been gone for so long, but I used to.

Churchview Fri 23-May-25 09:52:51

Another Woolworths Saturday girl here. I worked on the bakery counter. It was a lovely job as everyone seemed so happy that it was Saturday and were buying cakes as treats. Lots of familar faces picking up their regular order.

Now people find it hard to believe me when I tell them Woolies had a bakery and a deli counter (although we called in cheese and cold meat) back in the 1970s.

I earned £7 a day and spent most of it on make up in Boots during my lunch hour and the rest on a copy of Blue Jeans magazine on the way home.

Sadgrandma Fri 23-May-25 09:49:05

We had a huge Woolies in our town back in the 70s/80s. I think it was the second largest in the country. It had three floors, the bottom one being for delicatessen counters and alcohol. Unfortunately, after a few years that floor had to close as it was next to the bus station and fumes were coming through - bad planning. However the rest of the store was great, I used to buy my lampshades and even bought a tumble drier there. I miss it.

keepingquiet Fri 23-May-25 09:44:03

Funny how they had to close because people stopped shopping there- we had superstores and out of town retail parks.

I have a Boyes store near me and it is wonderful- they sell everything in there including sweets you can't buy elsewhere. It is a treasure trove right on my doorstep just like Woolworths used to be...great friendly staff too and I rarely have to queue at the till because not many people go there!
I wonder why that is...? Oh, of course, everyone's shopping on-line now.

LizzieDrip Fri 23-May-25 09:43:28

Ah, such happy memories of Woolies.

I used to go to the kids Saturday morning cinema at the Odeon with my big sister and her friends, then into Woolies to look at the records & make up. Felt so grown up!

Sadly my big sister is now in the late stages of dementia but, on rare occasions, she still remembers those wonderful Saturday mornings outings😢

Astitchintime Fri 23-May-25 09:28:52

My Mum worked part time in ‘Woolies’ for some years - sad day when they closed down.

Bukkie Fri 23-May-25 09:26:01

Aged 4, I took a blackcurrant and licorice sweet from the pick n mix and popped it in my mouth. After I finished it I proudly told my twin brother what I had done. He told me I would be arrested as we left the shop. I felt so scared and dreadful I have never stolen another thing since.

Maggiemaybe Fri 23-May-25 09:24:24

I worked on Haberdashery as a Saturday girl too, Cardashian. It must have been the quietest of all the departments. I much preferred my stints on the beach toys and sweets counters. Though I did get into trouble on that one when a Scottish customer asked for a wee poke and I couldn’t keep a straight face.

Before that I used to love going to Woolies with my dad on a Saturday, mainly for records and a new Airfix kit - we’d do them together. Pick ‘n’ Mix as we went out. Happy days!

Oreo Fri 23-May-25 09:17:56

I agree, Woolies and BHS were great places to shop.I spent my young life there on a Saturday with friends.
I also miss all the good dept stores☹️

Bukkie Fri 23-May-25 09:04:42

Fabulous shop. All my ladybird clothes came from there as a child. Records, Christmas decorations and of course the pick n mix. Indeed happy memories when high streets were buzzing. I also loved British Home Stores especially the lighting department.

Cardashian123 Fri 23-May-25 08:43:12

You could get anything in there it was such a versatile shop and in my local high street. I even worked there in Haberdashery as a Saturday girl in the 60s. Memories…..