Woolworths could be making a comeback to the UK‘s high streets – almost a decade after it collapsed and shut down.
According to the Daily Star, the retailer‘s former managing director Tony Page has approached Shop Direct to buy the name back.
If successful, the retailer – famed for its pick-n-mix – would come back with town centre and community stores rather than major shopping centres.
“I am still emotionally attached to it. I still think it has got a role in the future,” Page told the Daily Star.
“I have contacted Shop Direct and said ‘you’re not using the brand anymore, would you consider giving it to someone who would?’”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
“They have taken the website down, so I’m curious now as to what might happen next because I still think the brand has got some propriety in spite of what happened in the past.
“I feel as though if the brand name was available it would still be a possibility to bring it back.
“I would want it to be much more a part of the community. The stores that really used to do well were those that were at the heart of the community, rather than being in the big shopping centres.
“It is much easier to walk down the road than order on Amazon.”
The iconic brand had been due to celebrate its 100 anniversary when administrators were appointed in 2008 after racking up debts of around £400 million.
Around 800 Woolworths stores were closed down by the start of 2009 and 27,000 employees were made redundant as a result of its demise.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
