Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Rachel Williams

6 nostalgic retailers from the high street that we miss - from Woolies to BHS

If there is one thing that we can all universally agree on, it is that a trip to the high street is no longer the same as it used to be when we were younger.

While online shopping has certainly become quite the convenience - shopping from the comforts of your home is certainly appealing - but nothing will compare to the magic of the high street.

And with a recent Yougov poll finding that 49% of Brits are wishing for the return of the beloved Woolworths, which went bust in the early 00s, it's safe to say that many others are also missing the good old days.

From browsing through the aisles at Toys R Us at Christmas with your parents to renting a movie for the weekend from Blockbuster, the high street used to offer a lot more than it does now.

Since the rise of online shopping and streaming, many other stores, not just the much loved Woolies, have seen themselves having to close up shop for good.

Naturally, with so many of us missing the good old days and wishing for the return of Woolies, we decided to revisit a few other classic high-street stores that are no longer available.

And, while quite a few nostalgic brands have been seeing a resurgence recently, such as Tammy Girl and Toys R Us, we have decided to take a look at a select few stores that sadly never seemed to be that lucky.

If you think there are any we missed, then please let us know which store you would like to see resurrected in the comments.

1. Woolworths

There are not many of us who don't mourn the loss of Woolies (Getty images)

Of course we are going to start this trip down memory lane with the absolute classic that is Woolworths. Even the mention of their name brings a tear to our eyes.

From the iconic pick 'n' mix stand, to the legendary collection of clothes, toys, and homeware, this shop was the absolute best.

It was an incredibly harsh blow to many 80s and 90s babies when they shut up shop for good in 2009.

2. Debenhams

One of the most recent British high street department chains to fall victim to the financial crisis in recent years.

The department chain had been a massive staple for the high street and news of its closure last year certainly didn't sit right with customers who were left distraught.

3. BHS

Back when there were department stores up and down the high street, BHS was arguably the one that most of us found ourselves in.

The department store was mainly popular for its seasonal merchandise and cafe, as well as being known as a high street staple that was always there.

That's why it was disheartening to hear of its collapse in 2016.

4. Blockbuster

A trip to Blockbuster was always on the cards for movie night (Reach PLC/Daily Record)

No trip down memory lane is complete without the mere mention of Blockbuster video which accurately sums up the childhood for many 90s kids.

Look, we are not saying that Netflix and Amazon Prime aren't great, but the long gone days of heading to Blockbuster for your Friday night evening film, complete with arguments and fighting for snacks is just something that hits us right in the feelings.

The once iconic video store officially declared bankruptcy back in 2010 and closed it's doors, with the exception of one store, in 2014.

5. Safeway

Safeway was the placed to be before Aldi and Lidl came along (PA)

Long before the days of Aldi and Lidl dominating the supermarket, there was the good old fashioned Safeway.

Also, admit it - you had the "Everything you want from a store and a little bit more" jingle stuck in your head for ages.

Luckily, has one of the happiest endings on this list, as it was officially revived by supermarket chain Morrisons in 2016 for a range of products manufactured in the company's own factories, for distribution through UK independent retailers.

6. Internacionale

If you were a young girl growing up in the late 90s/early 00s and you didn't get your clothes from Internacionale, then who even were you?

Literally no school disco outfit was complete without a £1.50 studded belt or a pair of these very cheap glittery heels that literally smelled like plastic.

Also, don't get us started on the homeware collection Au Naturale, as that may have been the beginning of our homeware obsession.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.