Woolies closes for final time

6:59pm Tuesday 6th January 2009

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There was a gloomy feeling among staff tonight as Oxford’s only Woolworths store shut for the final time.

Even the shelves were for sale at the Templars Square store, in Cowley, as administrators of the chain told managers “everything must go”.

Staff, who did not wish to be named, likened the mood in the shop to that of a funeral.

One woman said: “It’s not just a job here, it’s your family, it’s your friends, and we’re losing all three in one go.

“There is only one way to describe how it feels – like someone you love has just died.

“The thought of waking up tomorrow and not coming to work here just makes me want to cry,” she added.

The shop was due to close yesterday but was kept open for an extra day by administrators Deloitte to get rid of excess stock.

Shopper Alan Fleming, from Chalgrove, had been hoping for a bargain, but walked out of the store empty handed.

He said: “It’s a bit weird. There’s nothing really left, but I don’t think there is anything in there you can’t buy.”

Woolworths stores in Abingdon and Bicester also closed for the last time today.