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Soult's Retail View

Archived blog posts (2009 to 2018) about shops on the high street and online, by North East-based retail consultant Graham Soult

Sainsbury's Local (formerly Woolworths), Hessle Road, Hull (11 Oct 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Retail History / Supermarkets / Woolworths

November 7, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published November 7, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Hessle Road’s long-gone Woolworths and its successors

While tearing around Barnsley and Hull visiting UGO supermarkets last month, I was pleased to be able to work in an unexpected ex-Woolworths. Not knowing Hull...

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Discount UK (former Woolworths), Newcastle (4 Nov 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Brands / Variety Stores / Woolworths

November 4, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published November 4, 2011

As Discount UK opens in Newcastle, Poundstretcher watches

Poundworld-owned variety retailer Discount UK has opened its Newcastle store today, with stilt walkers and free sweets on hand to welcome shoppers to the former...

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Signage at UGO Lundwood (11 Oct 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 9

Brands / Interiors / Marketing / Supermarkets / Supply Chain

November 1, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published November 1, 2011 · Last modified May 7, 2018

A new UGO tour: positive signs as I go supermarket spotting in Barnsley and Hull

The emergence of UGO as Britain’s newest discount supermarket chain has been one of the most interesting retail launches of 2011 so far. Back in January,...

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The North Face, Newcastle (29 Oct 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Property / Specialist Retailers

October 30, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published October 30, 2011 · Last modified February 12, 2017

The North Face opens its Newcastle flagship store

The Californian outdoor brand The North Face has opened its new store in Newcastle in the last few days – though you could easily be...

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Discount UK, Newcastle (29 Oct 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Property / Variety Stores / Woolworths

October 29, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published October 29, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Newcastle’s Discount UK readies for 4 November opening

Discount UK, the Poundworld-owned variety store retailer, is to open the doors of its new Newcastle store at 10am on Friday (4 November). As I reported a...

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Amar Atelier, Alicante (17 Jun 2011). Photograph courtesy of Amar Atelier 0

Independent Stores / Merchandising / Online / Overseas

October 23, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published October 23, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

The Spanish indie retailer with a North East design connection

Many of you will have seen my retail column in the Bdaily last week, where I discussed some of the key ingredients that help to make a...

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Well Worth It! in Ledbury (8 Oct 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Independent Stores / Market Towns / Retail History / Variety Stores / Woolworths

October 18, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published October 18, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Ledbury’s ‘son of Woolies’ – and a visual identity inspired by the past

Dorchester’s famous Wellworths may have had to change its name to Wellchester at Shop Direct’s behest, but a store in the Herefordshire town of Ledbury...

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Isabel Macdonald outside her new store 6

Department Stores / Home and DIY / Online / Property / Retail Parks

October 14, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published October 14, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Interview: Isabel Macdonald, Branch Manager, John Lewis at Home Tamworth

Tamworth’s new John Lewis at Home opened its doors on Wednesday (12 October), eight months after I broke the news of its impending arrival. The 42,000 sq ft...

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Tesco in Eger, Hungary (15 Jul 2006). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Brands / Campaigns / Economy / Financial / Overseas / Supermarkets

October 5, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published October 5, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Has Britain fallen out of love with Tesco?

Today’s release of fairly weak UK trading figures from Tesco – where like-for-like sales, excluding petrol and VAT, fell by 0.5% in the first half...

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Former Woolworths, Newcastle (30 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 7

Property / Shopping Centres / Variety Stores / Woolworths

September 30, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 30, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

End of an era as Newcastle Woolworths signage comes down

Newcastle’s ex-Woolworths in Clayton Street (store #340) has been one of a dwindling number to retain its Woolies signage three years on, as more and...

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Former Woolworths, Newcastle (23 Aug 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 8

Property / Variety Stores / Woolworths

September 28, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 28, 2011 · Last modified July 25, 2017

Has Discount UK signed up for Newcastle’s old Clayton Street Woolies?

It seems we might finally have an answer to all the work that’s been going on recently at the old Newcastle Woolworths at 73-79 Clayton Street...

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Former Woolworths (now Store Twenty One), South Shields (22 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Fashion Stores / Property / Retail History / Woolworths

September 23, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 23, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

As South Shields’ Woolies is filled, there’s good news for Byker and Wallsend too

Store Twenty One has opened its doors in South Shields today, meaning that the whole of the former Woolworths unit at 100-108 King Street (store...

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Former Woolworths, Hitchin (22 Sep 2011). Photograph by Steve Hack 1

Fashion Stores / Market Towns / Property / Variety Stores / Woolworths

September 23, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 23, 2011

Peacocks and Poundland get ready to open in Hitchin’s former Woolworths

Earlier in the week I mentioned how the former Woolworths in Newquay had been divided up between Poundland and Peacocks. Now the same process is...

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Former Woolworths, Falmouth (19 Feb 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Outdoor Leisure / Property / Retail History / Variety Stores / Woolworths

September 21, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 21, 2011 · Last modified August 26, 2017

The new occupants of Cornwall’s ex-Woolies – plus one that’s still empty

Having visited and photographed nearly 150 ex-Woolworths sites in the last three years (including 17 in the last week alone) – 50 of which are yet...

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Wellchester's Claire Robertson (8 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 5

Brands / Independent Stores / Interiors / Merchandising / Variety Stores / Woolworths

September 16, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 16, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

As Wellworths becomes Wellchester, Claire Robertson talks tweaking and expansion

For someone who makes a habit of visiting old Woolworths – and I’ve racked up about 140 so far – there can be few ex-Woolies...

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The store as BHS, Swindon (11 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 11

Property / Retail History / Woolworths

September 15, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 15, 2011 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Swindon’s former Woolworths store – past, present and an uncertain future

If you saw my earlier post about the shiny new BHS in Swindon, you might be wondering what happened to the retailer during the 18-month period...

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New BHS, Swindon (11 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 4

Brands / Fashion Stores / Property

September 15, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 15, 2011

Swindon’s BHS provides a taster of what Newcastle and Hartlepool can expect

While visiting Swindon’s out-of-town John Lewis at Home, I also managed to spent some time exploring the town centre. The open-air Parade shopping centre has the distinction...

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Sheffield's existing John Lewis in Barker's Pool (18 Aug 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 6

Department Stores / Property / Shopping Centres

September 13, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 13, 2011 · Last modified July 25, 2017

As Stratford City opens, I check out John Lewis’s answers to the lack of other new schemes

As the vast Westfield Stratford City opens its doors today, it’s little wonder that most of Twitter’s retail commentators seem to have decamped to east London. With...

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Stockton Town Centre Business Awards judges, including me on the left 1

Awards / Customer Service / Personal

September 13, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published September 13, 2011 · Last modified July 30, 2014

There’s still time to enter Stockton Borough’s Town Centre Business Awards

Since I blogged about my judging role as part of Stockton Council’s first ever Town Centre Business Awards, launched back in July, I’m pleased to...

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Point-of-sale promotion of the Asda Price Guarantee. Photograph by Graham Soult 15

Brands / Campaigns / Interiors / Marketing / Supermarkets

August 31, 2011

 by Graham Soult · Published August 31, 2011

Putting Asda’s Price Guarantee to the test – in an ex-Netto Asda Supermarket

Judging from the number of hits – currently 900+, and rising – many of you enjoyed my recent illustrated post about Asda’s Old Fold Road...

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Woolworths… from the archives

  • Former Woolworths, Victoria Street, Derby (23 Dec 2010). Photograph by Graham Soult

    The old Woolies store that’s gone for a Burton

    January 16, 2011

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It was a privilege to be a High Streets Task Force It was a privilege to be a High Streets Task Force Expert during its five-year existence - and its findings have now been published....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/high-streets-task-force-findings-provide-blueprint-for-successful-high-street-regeneration/
Last week it was a real pleasure to attend the off Last week it was a real pleasure to attend the official launch event of Two Tales, Seven Stories' new Durham pop-up at Prince Bishops Place....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/seven-stories-pop-up-makes-the-high-street-a-place-of-joy-and-opportunity-for-durham-children/
As a presumably well-intentioned but unhelpful new As a presumably well-intentioned but unhelpful new report on "Ghost Towns" is published today, it's time to stop feeding this narrative....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/23/you-want-healthier-high-streets-then-maybe-think-twice-before-publishing-a-report-about-ghost-towns/
Gateshead Railway Quarter isn't a new thing, but p Gateshead Railway Quarter isn't a new thing, but putting the name up there undoubtedly makes it more real....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/04/29/gateshead-railway-quarter-how-to-improve-your-town-by-starting-with-what-is-already-good/
An initial action shot of me yesterday evening! Th An initial action shot of me yesterday evening! Thank you to Spalding & District Civic Society for the kind invitation to speak, and to the large and engaged audience for a great many pertinent questions during the Q&A afterwards 💬

Their obvious passion for the town demonstrated the power of what can be achieved by harnessing that enthusiasm and working together to make a difference. 

One woman told me afterwards "You expressed everything that I feel about #Spalding", which is always one of the best compliments I can hope for 💪☺️

#highstreet #highstreets #evolvingnotdying #lincolnshire
Specialist Speakers is a speaker bureau for keynot Specialist Speakers is a speaker bureau for keynote and motivational speakers in business, politics, economy and management....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/26/graham-soult-now-featured-alongside-famous-names-at-at-specialist-speakers-speaker-bureau/
This page details retail units currently available This page details retail units currently available to let in Durham city centre. As Retail Cupid, we help match empty shops with new tenants....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/13/march-2025-retail-cupid-update-current-retail-property-to-let-in-durham-city-centre/
Occupying the building where Wallsend Woolworths t Occupying the building where Wallsend Woolworths traded from 1929 to 1959, Tyneside Community Store offers essential items for those in need....

https://www.cannyinsights.com/2025/03/12/the-building-that-housed-wallsends-original-woolworths-and-that-continues-to-serve-the-community/

About this blog

Soult's Retail View is a blog by me, Graham Soult, taking a wide-ranging look at the UK retail industry. I'm a retail consultant based in Gateshead - and the person behind CannyInsights.com and CannySites.com - so my posts often (but not always) have a North East flavour. [read more]

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Retail property… from the archives

  • Is Apple Store coming to Newcastle’s Eldon Square?

    September 29, 2009

  • The store as BHS, Swindon (11 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Swindon’s former Woolworths store – past, present and an uncertain future

    September 15, 2011

  • Original former Woolworths (now Store Twenty One), Redcar (4 May 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Redcar’s original ex-Woolies – and a new real shop among the virtual ones

    May 5, 2011

In the News

In December 2009, global media intelligence company Cision ranked Soult’s Retail View at #2 in its list of the UK’s top ten retail blogs.

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