Hope over future of Woolies' stores

BUSINESS leaders say they are optimistic that empty Woolworths stores will be snapped up by other retailers.

The high street icon collapsed into administration in November and administrator Deloitte decided to close all 807 stores after failing to find a buyer for the firm.

The branches were shut down in stages, starting last month, with the loss of 27,000 jobs. The final batch closed their doors for the last time yesterday.

Woolworths had stores in Hanley, Longton, Stoke, Burslem, Newcastle, Leek, Market Drayton, Uttoxeter, www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/mytowncongleton">Congleton, Stafford, Nantwich, Sandbach and Stone, and business representatives say it is important the vacant shops are filled as soon as possible.

Deloitte has reportedly held talks with a number of other retailers to take on the leases of around 300 Woolworths stores. Chains linked to the outlets include Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Iceland.

Richard Day, chairman of the City Centre Chamber of Trade, said: "It's important that the unit in Hanley is let or re-let as quickly as possible as it does form an important part of the city centre. It's in a prime location and it's of a size that I would expect other retailers to be interested in. I would like to see either a fashion store or something to do with food. Those are the two angles I could see an occupier coming from.

"I think there will be someone keen to take it on because of its prominence and its prime location."

City centre manager Jean Ball added: "While it is sad to see Woolworths go, the premises in Parliament Row, next door to M&S, are in a prime location.

"So I am hopeful that the site will be snapped up quickly when the administrators put them on the open market.

"There are several well-known brands who have expressed an interest in our city centre and this site could provide an opportunity for one of them to gain access to the 750,000 people who live within a 45-minute drive time."

Richard Cresswell, vice-chairman of Longton Chamber of Trade, said: "When I first came to Longton in 1950, we lived opposite Woolworths so I've seen it change over the years. I was never out of there – everyone went to Woolworths.

"It's important that someone else takes it on otherwise it's going to get very dilapidated very quickly.

"I sincerely hope someone does. I'd hate to see it fall into disrepair because we're trying to regenerate Longton."

Mr Cresswell, who runs RD Cresswell & Co engineers merchants in Baths Road, added: "We want all the shops to be occupied. I'm sure someone will be interested if they pitch the rates right because it's quite a big store."