Return of Woolworths

The recent economical has lead to high street chains closing down stores, and cut jobs in the process. Former employees of the once-commonplace Woolworths department stores have (hopefully) set in motion the beginning of the end for this depressing trend.

14 former Woolworths branches have been re-opened so far across the UK by former Woolies manager Andy Latham, the latest one in Newhaven in East Sussex. The ambitious businessman has re-branded the stores 'Alworths', and the stores sell many items in similar fashion to the former high streets favourite Woolworths.

Other stores have been re-opened under names such as 'Wellworths' or 'Smallworths,' creating a few hundred jobs nationally. 60% of the former Woolworths stores have been replaced with cost-cutting retailers such as Poundland.

It has not been an easy ride for the ambitious Latham, however. Woolworths brand owner, Shop Direct, threatened him with legal action. They accused him of "trading off the back of the goodwill of the Woolworths business" in one scathing statement.