Woolworth’s site taken on by ‘pilot’ bargain shop

Oct 17 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A RETAILER is about to open the first of what it hopes will be a 20-strong chain of North East bargain goods stores.

Blyth-based North East Convenience Stores is piloting its Well Worth It brand in the former Woolworth’s store in North Tyneside.

The company, which currently runs 11 general grocery stores in the region, will use a colour-coded price scheme so customers can pick and mix cheaper goods for a set price.

Like Woolworth’s, the brand sells a huge variety of products, ranging from toys to gardening equipment, clothing and food. It has also brought back Woolworth’s famous pick ‘n’ mix sweets.

Well Worth It has moved into the old Woolies premises in a corner unit of Wallsend High Street, where it has created 15 jobs after securing a £5,000 Town Centre Retail Grant from North Tyneside Council.

The seven-year-old company, run by Sanjeev Vadhera, aims to open 15 to 20 Well Worth Its in the region within a year if the concept is successful.

A spokesman said: “As a company founded in the North East, we have always felt it important to support the local towns in and around the area.

“The closure of the Woolworth’s store has put great pressure on the Wallsend shopkeepers to attract customers and, therefore, we feel the opening of Well Worth It will add a new dimension to the town centre and hopefully regenerate the shopping centre.”

When Woolworth’s collapsed in December 2008 after years of falling trade, the company shut its 800-strong store chain and more than 27,000 staff lost their jobs, including around 700 in the North East.

North Tyneside Council is working to persuade more shoppers into their local town centres by offering grants to retail businesses looking for premises.

Council chairman, Councillor Michael Huscroft, who will open the store, said: “In these tough economic times, it’s great news that the ex-Woolworth’s site is now being put to good use.

“The development of Wallsend as a vibrant and sustainable town centre is at the heart of our plans to regenerate the 600-hectare North Bank of the Tyne.”

It’s great news that the ex-Woolworth’s site is now being put to good use