ONE of the great British institutions was set to disappear from our high streets as Woolworths started selling off stock before closing its doors for the last time back in December 2008.

The beleaguered chain had gone into administration and there was little sign of another retailer appearing with a rescue package.

The Taunton, Minehead and Wellington stores were set to suffer the same fate as all the others and local bargain hunters were picking over the last remaining stock.

The County Gazette took the opportunity to speak to shoppers and find out what Woolies meant to them.

Wilfred Billinge said: “I remember it years ago when everything was 3d and 6d and you knew you were able to get some lovely things quite cheaply.”

Janet Hocking added: “I think it’s an awful shame that it’s going to shut down. I buy a lot of stuff in here and where are we going to go now? It’s tradition, especially at Christmas.”

For others, Woolworths had special memories.

Richard King said: “It’s pretty sad because my grandad used to take us down there and buy us Pick and Mix. It was quite sweet and we are just not going to do that any more.”

Brenda Hollick added: “I remember Woolworths as a child. You went in with individual counters and you could always get something that you wanted there.

“They used to change their counters around so that you went around the store and obviously saw other things and so any time you go into a shop and see it’s been changed around you say they are playing a

Woolworths.”

Customer Karen Ball said: “It was my nan’s first job working in Woolies so it seems a bit sad in that way and sad for the staff as well. And I know it was owned by an American company but it’s still an English institution I think so I hope someone will come along at the last minute and rescue them.”

And the County Gazette’s Ken Bird, said: “When I was a baby and we lived in Worcester my mother took me on a shopping trip in the town centre.

"When she returned my sister said, ‘Where’s Kenneth?’ and she replied, ‘I’ve left him outside Woolworths’.

“They ran back up to the store and found me still contentedly sitting in my pushchair.

“The family have been trying to lose me ever since.”