A generation of folk will have fond memories of shopping at Woolworth - and it was always a firm favourite in the run-up to Christmas.
After a century as an ever-present on the high streets and in the shopping centres of the UK, however, the brand was forced to close and we said a sad farewell to the 'wonder of Woolies' and their Pic 'n' Mix sweets. But now, thanks to OnlineSlots.com we can relive those visits to our local Woolworth in this Christmas-themed 3D virtual tour of a typical store back in 1990.
The tour begins with the words: “Let us take you back 30 years to a better time. We’re talking about when the Macarena was a national dance movement, Turkey Twizzlers were a school dinner delicacy, and Saturday nights were reserved for Gladiators and Blind Date.
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“One of the best things about the '90s was spending your hard-earned pocket money in Woolworth's - you know, everyone’s go-to bargain store that sold everything from homeware to trending toys - even your school uniform.”
In the video, we see shelves packed with VHS videos, CDs and the portable games consoles of 32 years ago, and recall toys such as Tamigotchis, Buzz Lightyear, Furby, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Baby Beanies that were all the rage at the time.
At the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, after decades as a national favourite retail staple, cash-strapped Woolies stores across the country closed their doors for good - a victim of changing consumer tastes, the impact of out-of-town malls, and the rapid rise of digital technology away from the likes of CDs and DVDs.
It was a sad day for shoppers and staff. Around 700 shop workers would lose their jobs in the North East - and nationally the mass closure would see 27,000 staff made redundant.
The first Woolworth had opened its doors in Liverpool in 1909. It arrived in Newcastle, on Northumberland Street, in 1913. At its height, there were 25 Woolies stores across the North East - the last one opening at the Metrocentre in 1988. When the end came, Woolworth's North East stores closed in Newcastle, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Durham, the Metrocentre, South Shields, Alnwick, Hexham, Houghton-le-Spring, Stanley, Whitley Bay, Blyth, Ashington, Gateshead, Gosforth, Jarrow, and North Shields.
It was the end of an era, but nearly 15 years after the brand disappeared from our high streets, we can relive the Woolworth's experience one last time in this virtual tour.
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The Tyneside railway station that would become a busy Metro station
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