Wirral’s Woolworths stores close for final time

Jan 7 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Wirral’s Woolworths stores close for final time

STAFF at Woolworths in Birkenhead marked their last day of work by recreating a team photo from the store’s first year of trading in 1938.

The Grange Road shop shut its doors for the final time on December 27 after the ailing firm closed 807 branches across the UK.

One of the few retailers in Birkenhead still trading in its original location, Woolworths opened in the town in 1938.

Over 100 Wirral Woolworths workers lost their jobs in the Christmas and New Year closures - according to the company it employed 52 in Birkenhead, 34 in Liscard, 16 in New Ferry and 17 in Heswall.

Birkenhead store manager Michael Shiels said: “The feedback from customers really has been “what a shame you’re closing”.

“Before the store closed we had a lot of people who came in to talk to us, from customers to people who used to work here. One lady was telling us what it was like to work here in 1947.

“It’s been a difficult situation for staff but the team have handled it really well and should be very proud of themselves.”

l Do you have any memories of Birkenhead’s Woolworths store - or any of the company’s other Wirral branches?

Share them with our Memories column by e-mailing lornahughes@wirralnews.co.uk or write to: Memories, Wirral News Group, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN.