Future of Chertsey Woolworths under threat

Stores in Hepworth Way, Walton; Station Road, Addlestone; Walton Road, East Molesey; Guildford Street, Chertsey; Station Approach, West Byfleet; High Street, Egham; High Street, Staines, and Church Road, Ashford, are all under threat.

Administrators Deloitte, whose appointment has been confirmed, said it would be looking for a suitable buyer and had received interest from "a number of parties" for both the retail arm and the firm's E.UK wholesaling operation.

But Deloitte's reorganisation services partner Dan Butters said: "We are working hard to ensure that any sale of the business, in whole or part, will preserve jobs."

Woolworths' 813 stores account for the lion's share of the group's staff, with around 25,000 employees. But Deloitte said the 99-year-old retailer will be kept open for business despite a £385m debts.

Stores will remain open until Christmas and employees in stores are expected to be paid.
Do you work at Woolworths? Let us know your views and how this has affected you? Email: surreynewspapers@trinitysouth.co.uk or call 01932 561111.

My memories...

How times have changed? Woolworths was the staple store of any High Street. When I was a small girl, in the late 80s and early 90s, Woolworths was the most trusted brand on the high street with stores in every town.

It's sad that a store such as the Walton branch could close as it holds many memories for me.

I remember when I was about 6 years old, when I used to live in Dale Road.

A trip to Woolworths would always be an adventure for my younger brother and sisters and I. My mum would push the twins in the pram and my younger sister and I would skip off ahead. A trip to Woolworths would almost certainly end in a treat for us all.

I remember when it didn't even sell CD's and we didn't even know that DVD's would exist then. As you went into the store and turned left the wall would be adorned with seven-inch vinyls and cassette tapes. I brought my first ever album in that store.

We used to love the pic n mix too. My favourites were the spearmint chewy mints. The toy section was popular and my mum even worked there for a short period stacking shelves in the evening.

It's such a shame that we could be seeing such a well-known store close especially when there must be so many nostalgic memories for everyone.

Share your memories by leaving your comments below or call 01932 561111.