Opened in 1936, closing, perhaps, after Christmas. In this current economic climate, what sort of high street retailer could replace Woolies presence on Market Jew Street and be viable? Another mobile phone shop? Another coffee shop? Another card shop? Burger King? Pizza Hut? I think that if Woolies does close, Penzance should have a Waterstones or a Mothercare or HMV! What does everyone think?
Over the years I have noticed a strong downturn generally in shops and their customer support system. As a youth, Woolworths had just about everything and their staff were always there with a ready smile and a guide map . Today, they have very little choice, and even less concern over their customers. They have gone the way of most shops and outlets - the national expression of avid disinterest. Over the past five years, I have discovered that there is nothing of interest in local shops, and I buy online - it is no good saying that is the reason that local custom suffers, as that is reversing the horse and cart. I would welcome Burger King (as being the only decent burger) but would welcome even more a shop with quality products, a wide choice and with service accompanied by a ready smile, and none of this plastic expression of have a nice day, now . This town used to have shops that were run with pride and a real service, a welcome, and a chat for that matter. All that has gone. The premises follow suit. That is one reason why we have such a fast turnaround with other shops - in fact I am surprised that Woolworths has lasted as long as it has done, considering the way in which I was treated on the last occasion a month ago. Yes, let s have a really good quality business that actually cares about its public.
I hasten to add that there are some shops in town in which the generality is not true, and I am greeted sincerely and with interest, and products are of best quality ....
Who else remembers this shop in the fifties?? The Airfix kits, the warm roasted peanuts in their glass case by the door, shovelled into paper bags. Ah me.
They say the nostalgia ain t what it used to be (as we often colour our memories with other family matters, our emotions of the time and of course, the bad things get conveniently forgotten) But - I remember the shops Maypole, Hawkeys, NJ Halls, International Stores, Boase ... what is more, they all knew my parents by name, and myself by name. Each shop was a thriving self contained community, yet welcome was not some message neatly sewn into the plastic mat ... it was written all over the faces of the owners and staff alike. Let us not forget that Woolworths has already sold out to Kingfisher (BandQ etc). A name on a shop front means little nowadays. Whatever happens, I sincerely hope that the staff do have a future which is not fraught with hardship at this time.
Woolworth has 800 UK branches and has been on our high-street for nearly 100 years. Personally, I think its a real shame to hear this news but not surprising given the real depression we are in. I also think that Woolies is a victim of the success of many other retailers. There was once clear boundaries about what and where you brought your shopping.... today its all in supermarkets. I doubt that there are any lines left in Woolies that cannot be purchased in most supermarkets today. As you ve all said in your own ways we shopped differently a few years ago, better ways. You shopped at Tesco for food, Woolies for the paint, toys, sweets and childrens school clothes, W H Smith for the papers and so on. Now they all sell the same things....... sooner or later it was bound to burst! This is only the beginning!.... Perhaps someone would like to start a topic off in the forum?
Another part of the Kingfisher group has not the slightest idea or notion of a clue as to how to run a business ... compare what we had in Wilton and Nicholls down the Terrace ... go in there, to this emporium of amazement, greeted by people who actually knew what they were talking about, and what you were talking about ... AND ... they had what you wanted. Anything in the DIY ironmonery or household .. we never left empty handed. BandQ have rarely got anything that I am looking for, and when I speak to anyone, the return is an exasperated, no we don t stock it, no call for it, or dunno mate, what does it do? What you say is absolutely true - diversification is bound to end in disaster, add to that the big bulldozers such as Tesco, and sooner or later, every shop in this town is going to one or other of the services that Tesco do not offer. rrrrrrichie has touched on that already.
What about the whippy ice cream machine on the LHS wall as you enter, with the large scales inside between the doors?
Counters with glass panels and little chrome clips used to separate the sweets. sad# sad# sad#
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