Your island

You are in: Jersey > People > Your island > Memories of Woollies

Memories of Woollies

Woolworths has been at the centre of St Helier retail life for decades. Share your memories…

Jersey's government says it's doing everything it can to help Woolworth's find another company to replace it in King's Street.

Some 30 thousand staff across Britain are facing redundancy as the retail chain begins a closing down sale.

Woolworths shopping bags

The administrators have so far failed to find a buyer and say some stores could close before Christmas.

Senator Philip Ozouf, Minister for Economic Development told BBC Jersey Today, his department will do all it can to help staff as well as find another store to replace it.

He said: "I certainly would be very sad to see the Woolworth's brand go but sadly if it is going to be sold we will do everything we can in order to assist Woolworth's to find another operator to make sure that that really wonderful store and wonderful prime site on King Street is occupied very quickly by a new retailer.

"We don't want to see large stores on King Street and Queen Street empty."

Memories

Woolworth's -- which has been holding closing down sales at its 815 shops - experienced the biggest single days trading in its history on Thursday 11 December.

Lady talking about going to Woolworths for sweets in her childhood

Woolworths is a big part of island life

We asked these people in St Helier how they'd feel if Woollies packed up shop for good in the island.

One person said: "It's a bit sad actually because it is a big shop and takes over most of the high street. I think people will find it very strange to find it empty or find that it is going to change."

Another remembered childhood sweets: "It really is, it's the heart gone out of Jersey town. I used to come here and buy my sweets and that was 80 years ago."

And somebody else said: "I will miss it a lot, we used to go through here as children and buy little toys and sweeties."

Profitable

The Jersey branch on King Street isn't commenting on the situation at the moment.

Woolworths sign in St Helier

But, Ray Shead, Vice President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce said: "Woolworth's has been a fixture of Jersey retail life for ever, for a long time and it will be sadly missed in Jersey. It is quiet a pity that it is the UK that is really more the difficulty than the shop in Jersey.

"I understand the Jersey and Guernsey stores are among the top profitable stores. But obviously it is a national organisation and its very sad. I think people will miss it."

However Ray Shead doesn't believe Woolworth's closing can be seen as a sign of things to come for Jersey.

He said: "It mustn't be too related to what is happening in Jersey. From everything I've heard the problem is not in the islands at all, not in Jersey or Guernsey - the problem is in the UK.

Woolworths sale

"Obviously the island stores, we understand are profitable on their own but whether they can trade without being part of the group that I don't know.

"The important thing to stress is that it is not local conditions that have caused Woolworth's problems, they are a reflection of what has happened with the main Woolworth's operation on the mainland."

Have your say

Share your thoughts and memories of Woolworth's with the island. Was it where you brought your first record or CD? Do you have childhood memories of weekend sweet trips or even Christmas shopping with mum and dad?

last updated: 12/12/2008 at 10:59
created: 12/12/2008

Have Your Say

Hollie and Emily
We loved woolworths especially the pick n mix, the WHSmiths one isn't the same!! We also loved Wool and Worth the adverts aren't the same without them. xxxxxx

John
do you have old 1914s pictures of woolworth gas ceiling lights dome shapethant you

Renee
I am from the USA (New Jersey) and remember Woolworth's growing up. They closed all the USA stores years ago. I was thrilled on my many visits to Jersey to shop at this store and am very sad that it is no longer. Truthfully, I thought they had phased them out back in the late 70's or early 80's - you were fortunate in Jersey to have it opened 25 years or so longer than it was here.

arron
hahahahaha i never liked it anyway there was some bads smell i didnt now what it was i have one question?you ready how do u feel?guttted

lj
just another one of many empty shops to come,and who will take over these premises with the greedy rents landlords charge.

928 Stowe
The demise of Woolworths was a terrible thing to happen to many small communities accross the UK. I myself moved here from Sussex a few years ago and in many small market towns Woolworths was one of the most diverse retail outlets serving the needs of small communities. As a parent here in Jersey with the loss of Woolworths and the closure of 101 Toys we are left with only Bambola or the Powerhouse. I don't know about many of you but one of my fondest memories as a child going to the toy shop with my parents and staring in awe at the wonders within.Two sad losses to the island and my thoughts and best wishes go to the employees at a difficult time.

steven
I think its wrong that the ex ehmployes of woolworths isn`t getting anyn redundcy pay they should get it what about the pention they put into no wondeer the world is the way it is

Nat
Woolies has been an institution, a part of Jersey life for so many. I'll never forget being dragged through Woolies by my mum as a kid to do the Christmas shopping, she'd bribe me with sweets as I've done with the children I've looked after. Nothing said "Come shopping with me" like a bag of pick'n mix at the end of the trip.

Bernard Bigginton
A sad memory of Woolworth was during the German Occupation when the Nazi flag was pisplayed in the window. There being no stock to display.

Jan
Our best man mislaid the wedding ring so I was almost locked into Holy Matrimony with a Woolies' 'gold' band. the real Mc Coy came to light at the last minute so I wore the 9carat one. I still have them both. We've been married for 57 years. the other thing I missed when they gave up the Tea bar was the beetroot and salad sandwiches. Delicious but messy!My husband remembers buying big bags of broken biscuits for 1 penny.

mel
I will miss wollies. I bought my first single and album there, when the music section was in the middle, and there wasn't an upstairs! I also tried to steal a combe worth 9p, had a gilt trip and took it back! I think the the music trade has had a lot to do with its closure. I can't remember the last time I actually spent my money on music there. Sorry! But it wasn't the cheapest around anymore. Who will do the best range of easter eggs now? They should be coming on the shelves soon.!!

Dave
I have memories of woolies ripping me off and charging £12 for a CD

Zina
It will be difficult to replace woolies from another retail shop..enjoyed lowest cost shopping here ..

Young love
I remember having my first kiss near the music area in woolies. The girl at the time wasn't expecting it but she sure did enjoy it afterwards.

andy b
i loved working for woolies on my saturday job as a teen. fond memories and its a shame its all going. glad a new look is supposidly replacing it thou!!!

Blithering Idiot
Ashley F : You do realise you are partially responsibly for the demise of Woolworths then, eh eh eh ! Off with his head!I'll miss Woolwoths, i dunno why i don't care about any other shop but this one i have fond memories of going there a few years back to buy my Commodore 64 games as they were the only shop that sold them. Awwww memories etc etc

AndyG
I will miss wollies, but a town filled with UK High street names is the real issue, high prof fit fuelled rentals have created a dependency on UK retailers

20 something missy
Woolies is where we'd meet when we where going into town, its where we'd buy our sweets when we still went to the odeon, Its where we'd get toys and our school uniforms, on an island with hardly any of the main high street stores, it will be greatly missed!

crP47
I remember getting sweets in Woolies in the late 40s very early 50s with ration coupons. Wooden floors and gas lights. Blimey!! Anybody remember the tea bar where the TVs are now? where the only thing the old lady would say was "SUGAR!!!" in a very loud voice.

Ashley
Jeremy Kyle -It will still be a shop so you can still walk through.I couldn't stand the mis-match of goods, good store but so outdated.

Brands
As a kid I remember Woolies for great toys, pick & mix and, of course, the rides for 2p.

sickboy
I think it should be turned into a Morrisons and then Ryan could run it.....

Ashley F
I stole my 1st Cd from Wollies. Good times!

jeremy kyle
Woolworths is my life I will sincerly miss the sweets , the dress up outfits but most of all the short cut I take through the store to get home quicker when it's raining thnak you!!! goodnite x j k

Local BBC Sites

Neighbouring Sites

Related BBC Sites

Your island