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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

Former Woolworths (now M&Co), Sherborne (5 Sep 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Fashion Stores / Property / Retail History / Woolworths

March 12, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published March 12, 2012 · Last modified April 20, 2017

M&Co and the ex-Woolies in Sidmouth and Sherborne

In previous posts, I’ve noted the difficulty I have in finding time to blog about all the former Woolworths sites that I’ve visited – not a...

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Primark site, Newcastle (5 Mar 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 3

Fashion Stores / Property / Retail History

March 6, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published March 6, 2012 · Last modified August 26, 2017

Newcastle’s extended Primark takes shape

Whatever you might think about the rise of the fashion retailer Primark, there’s no disputing that it’s one of the big retail success stories right...

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Atkinsons of Sheffield (18 Aug 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 7

Department Stores / Independent Stores / Market Towns / Retail History / Social Media

March 4, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published March 4, 2012 · Last modified July 25, 2017

Celebrating Britain’s indie department stores: Atkinsons, Banburys and Barkers

Among all the retail gloom that the newspapers seem to like writing about, it was refreshing to read last week that Browns of York is to...

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Poundworld and Discount UK store, Swindon (2 Mar 2012). Photograph by Lee Sartin 4

Brands / Variety Stores / Woolworths

March 2, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published March 2, 2012

Fascia treatment of Poundworld’s 2-in-1 Swindon store revealed

Many thanks to Soult’s Retail View reader Lee Sartin, who has sent in a picture of the dual-fascia Poundworld and Discount UK store that opened...

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Uniqlo signage, Coventry (7 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Fashion Stores / Overseas / Property / Retail History / Shopping Centres / Woolworths

March 2, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published March 2, 2012 · Last modified September 10, 2017

The fragment of Uniqlo that lives on in Coventry

Having opened its Coventry store on 20 September 2002, Uniqlo announced just six months later that it would be closing – but a trace of the shop remains.

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...and now as a Co-op (28 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 5

Co-operatives / Property / Supermarkets

February 29, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 29, 2012 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Birtley’s ex-Netto Co-operative Food – shiny, but still a Co-op

Travelling back from Chester-le-Street yesterday, I was finally able to visit – and do a shop in – The Co-operative Food store in Birtley, which opened...

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Winners of last year's Specsavers Everywoman in Retail Awards 0

Awards

February 29, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 29, 2012 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Retail’s “dynamic female talent” sought as award nominations are launched

Having recently judged some retail awards myself – albeit in Stockton, rather than on the national stage – I was interested to receive details of...

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Ex-TJ Hughes in Middlesbrough, prior to reoccupation by Metro Outlet (5 Jan 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 8

Department Stores / Fashion Stores / Home and DIY / Property / Retail Parks / Shopping Centres

February 28, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 28, 2012 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Metro Outlet takes over Middlesbrough’s TJ Hughes site, but ex-TJ’s elsewhere remain empty

Middlesbrough had some retail good news on Saturday, as a new store opened its doors in the town’s former TJ Hughes premises – following on...

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Impression of new Redcar store. Image courtesy of Poundworld 2

Property / Variety Stores

February 27, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 27, 2012

Poundworld confirms 1 March opening for Redcar ‘Express’ store

The single-price retailer Poundworld has confirmed that it will open a Poundworld Express store in Redcar this week – only the third store to launch as...

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Former Woolworths (now Sainsbury's), Prince Edward Road, South Shields (21 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 15

Co-operatives / Retail History / Supermarkets / Woolworths

February 26, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 26, 2012 · Last modified November 10, 2016

The South Shields shop that’s been a Woolworths… and nearly every supermarket name too

When I recently got hold of a copy of the 1972 Woolworths store list, I was surprised to see a reference to a North East...

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Peacocks in Newcastle, which has now closed (22 Jan 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 9

Fashion Stores / Woolworths

February 22, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 22, 2012 · Last modified April 5, 2012

Edinburgh Woollen Mill saves Peacocks, but ten North East stores close

Today’s announcement that Edinburgh Woollen Mill has bought fashion retailer Peacocks out of administration is very good news as far as the 6,000 saved jobs and 395 retained...

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Family Bargains (former Woolworths), Bristol Galleries (22 Feb 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 2

Property / Retail Parks / Variety Stores / Woolworths

February 22, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 22, 2012 · Last modified November 10, 2016

Poundworld and Discount UK to open dual-fascia store in Swindon

Multi-price value retailer Discount UK is to open its 30th store, in Swindon, this week – under a dual fascia with its Yorkshire-based parent brand, Poundworld....

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Former Woolworths (now Boots), Linthorpe Village (16 Nov 2010). Photograph by Graham Soult 6

Retail History / Shopping Centres / Woolworths

February 21, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 21, 2012 · Last modified July 30, 2014

One town, five stores: tracking down Middlesbrough’s ex-Woolworths (part 3)

In parts 1 and 2 of this series, I’ve talked about the two incarnations of Middlesbrough’s flagship Woolworths (store #8) – firstly at 91-93 Linthorpe...

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Poundstretcher and UGO, Nuneaton (7 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 8

Brands / Property / Retail Parks / Supermarkets / Variety Stores / Woolworths

February 19, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 19, 2012

How Poundstretcher can learn a thing or two from its acquired UGO stores

After I first revealed that UGO, the fledgling supermarket chain, was set to be sold, there was understandably plenty of speculation about who the buyer was....

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Site of former Woolworths Music & Video store, Hillstreet, Middlesbrough (5 Jan 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 3

Woolworths

February 19, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 19, 2012 · Last modified March 1, 2012

One town, five stores: tracking down Middlesbrough’s ex-Woolworths (part 2)

Last month I wrote about the former Woolworths store at 91-93 Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough (store #8, below), which opened there in 1911. As I...

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Former Woolworths site, Tottenham Court Road (10 Feb 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Consumer Electronics / Retail History / Woolworths

February 18, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 18, 2012

Locating the former Woolworths in Tottenham Court Road, forty years after its closure

Regular readers may recall my London-related post from last April, when I finally confirmed the location of the long-closed former Woolworths at 8-13 High Holborn (store #173). Today,...

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Clas Ohlson, Reading (19 Aug 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 0

Economy / Financial / Marketing / Online / Overseas / Social Media

February 15, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 15, 2012

Clas Ohlson pushes social media and confirms UK transactional website launch

Clas Ohlson, the Swedish hardware retailer, has revealed that it is pushing on with plans for a UK transactional website, with an expected launch in the spring....

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Former Woolworths, Princes Street, Edinburgh (29 Jan 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Property / Retail History / Woolworths

February 3, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 3, 2012 · Last modified April 24, 2017

Princes Street’s lost Woolworths flagship

Earlier on I wrote about Edinburgh’s first Woolworths – in Leith – which opened in January 1925, but it was over a year later before...

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Former Woolworths (now British Heart Foundation), Leith (29 Jan 2012). Photograph by Graham Soult 1

Retail History / Woolworths

February 2, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 2, 2012 · Last modified November 10, 2016

On the (tram) track of Edinburgh’s first Woolworths

Last week I blogged about the former Woolworths sites in Hawick and Galashiels, making reference to the relative dearth of Woolies stores in the Scottish...

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UGO store, Hartlepool (4 May 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult 3

Supermarkets

February 1, 2012

 by Graham Soult · Published February 1, 2012

Breaking news: Well-known chain set to snap up UGO stores and staff

The 20-strong chain of UGO supermarkets is to be snapped up by “a well-known and established brand name”, I understand. Subject to legals being completed...

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Woolworths… from the archives

  • Ashbourne town centre. Photograph by Roger Cornfoot

    Can anyone remember Ashbourne’s long-closed Woolworths?

    January 11, 2011

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cannyinsights

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

  • B&M Bargains (former Woolworths), Chester-le-Street (24 Jan 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

    B&M Bargains heads to Burton – but where next?

    February 25, 2011

  • Nice Tucci you again

    September 29, 2009

  • Family Bargains (former Woolworths), Bristol Galleries (22 Feb 2011). Photograph by Graham Soult

    Poundworld and Discount UK to open dual-fascia store in Swindon

    February 22, 2012

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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