They are both iconic British retail emporiums which failed to 
keep up with modern times and maintain their public appeal.
But it’s still a sad day, a very sad day, to learn that both Woolworths and MFI (whose furniture can we joke about now?) have gone into administration.
This comes on top of reading today how 30 local journalists – a couple who I know – have lost their jobs at Anglia TV in a cost cutting shake-up by ITV to save £40m a year by axing more than 400 posts across its regional news service.
I remember escaping redundancy by the skin of my teeth at the Cambridge Evening News when the paper lost its lucrative estate agents advertising deal to a competitor. Who got the chop was decided on a "last in – first out" basis. My name was top of the list of those whose job was saved.
It is the most terrible gut wrenching, nerve wracking, depressing and demoralising experience. I lived on a very sharp knife edge for a few weeks and can imagine how desperately worried those thousands of poor souls must be feeling whose jobs are at risk.
It is truly a black Wednesday.
This is so hard to believe. Woolies was an integral part of my growing. I bought my first make-up there, and my first costume jewellery.
With those two familiar names in receivership, we can only ask who will be next?
It is horrible being in the firing line.
Who is safe nowadays ? I’m bothered about staff surpluses where I am too.
One has to try to KBO as Churchill would say.
Going down the job center is a grim experience. Especially with a family to support as happened to me nine years ago.
[…] Ellee Seymour is also concerned about the job losses and the effect of sudden loss of employment, she recalls feeling on edge when she came close to losing her job and calls it a ‘Black Wednesday’. […]
Much of my childhood Saturdays were marked by a trip to Woolies. Very sad. They are icons on our High Streets. Here in Australia, Woolworths is a very successful supermarket, liquor and hospitality business. Different business plan. Better outcome.
I just love Woolies.
My little grandchildren love to come with me when I shop there as they know they’ll get a toy….Always have to rush them past the Pick ‘n’ mix sweetie counters as their meanie parents won’t allow them to have sweets..
My Daughters’ were allowed sweets (in moderation) and have all got lovely healthy teeth!
Isn’t it amazing Ellie, that there are very few ‘true’ figures being released by this hapless Government regarding ‘redundancies’ in the work market. I wonder why this is?
Maybe Gordon’s going to nationalise Wooworths and MFI. I believe Curry’s are in trouble too!
Happy days hey!
Di.x
Thats another shop our small town is going to lose…We don’t have many shops..but Woolies always has people in..
We have 3 estate agents shut down as well.
Your first line says it all, they didn’t keep up with the times and woolies didn’t really have a product identity any more.
It seems to be an unrelentingly grim time at the present and I so feel for those who are directly impacted and suffering. For Woolies, I can only say it’s been around virtually forever; surely it will survive.
It’s so sad to see these go. But I can understand why – having recently been into a Woolworths, their stores were becoming really run down, the product range was poor and disparate – they definitely lack focus. I am sure they will become a case study on ‘how not to retail’.
I can’t imagine the high street without “Woolies”. A dire situation. And there are always redundancies before Xmas.
Ellee
What about all the new businesses that are starting-up? Woolworth’s and their ilk have been dying for years. We need to give the oxygen of publicity to fresh new talent.
As an example, how about this new game, invented by a UK individual which is manufactured right here. Its called TicTacTactic. Details can be found at Facebook andhere
Sorry, try this:
http://www.tictactactic.com/
I do feel rather sad about Woolworths – it’s just always been there. But it is true it has not moved with the times.
I have never been faced with redundancy but it must be very depressing and feel very unjust.
Reluctant Blogger
Welcome to the world. One can’t have it rosy the whole time.
It is sad to see Woolworths go. I remember going there as a kid and running rampant in the toy section.