Woolies shuts its doors for the last time

8:50pm Sunday 4th January 2009

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IT may have been given a one-day stay of execution but nothing could stop Woolworths’ shutters from closing for the final time this weekend.

Shoppers were still surging into the Regent Street store in a bid to bag a bargain as prices were slashed by up to 80 per cent.

But for some, the closure was a sad occasion marking the end of an era for the High Street giant.

Covingham couple Eddie and Joan Taylor took one final look around the ailing store before its death rattle on Saturday afternoon, remembering Woolies in its former glory.

“When we came to Swindon in 1953 there was a sign across the top of the shop in big gold letters carved from wood that read threepence and sixpence stores,” said Eddie of Wagtail Close. “And that’s exactly what it was, a godsend for those on a budget.

Administrators earmarked the Swindon branch for closure along with a quarter of the chain's 800-plus stores.

Marlborough’s Woolies closed on December 27 along with Corsham, Cirencester and Cheltenham.

Salisbury and Newbury followed on December 30 followed by Chippenham on Friday (Jan 2) Swindon on Saturday.

Woolworths in Devizes is the last in the area to close, shutting up shop for the last time tomorrow.

Read more in tomorrow's Swindon Advertiser.