Northumberland towns hit hard by Woolworths collapse

Posted by The Journal on Dec 12, 08 09:47 AM in News

Business and council leaders are dismayed at the prospect of Woolworths disappearing from Northumberland high streets.

Woolworths in Hexham

The chain has had a presence at the heart of Blyth, Ashington, Morpeth, Alnwick, Hexham and Berwick for generations and its loss would leave a gaping hole in shopping centres.

But the potential closure of stores in Morpeth, Blyth and Ashington comes as all three towns are engaged in major retail regeneration plans.

Last night Stuart Lishman, chamber of trade chairman in Morpeth, where a ÃÂ£32m shopping redevelopment is under way, said: "Woolworths is a household name and this whole situation is very sad.

"This would be another shop lost in Morpeth through no fault of the town itself. My fear is that the Morpeth store could be closed before Christmas, because of the amount of stock that is left.

"The store is right in the middle of the high street and it makes you wonder what we will get in its place. Woolworths is one of those stores where people go if they need bits and pieces for the house, and in Morpeth it is probably the biggest seller of music and CDs.

"This will be a big loss to the town. Big cities can absorb closures like this, but towns like Morpeth and Alnwick can't."

Blyth Valley Council leader Dave Stephens said the possible loss of the Blyth store would be heavy blow to efforts to revitalise the town centre. The store is next to the market square, which has just been revamped at a cost of ÃÂ£3m.

He said: "Woolworths has been part of Blyth's retail history and it would be a sad loss. It is one of our key retail anchors in the town centre and the thought of that store standing empty and vacant worries me at a time like this. On top of that is the loss of jobs for the people who work there."

Coun Betty Carey, who represents Ashington Central on Wansbeck Council, said: "Woolworths has been here all of my life and I'm 60. It was a wonderful store when we were younger, and whenever I am in now it seems very busy.

"It would be a tremendous miss in Ashington, because it was always one of the big names, along with Boots."

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