Readers' favourite memories of Woolworths in Norfolk

The company was originally founded in the USA but became a British high street favourite for many years before it went into administration in 2008.

We take a look back in time at the county's Woolworths with pictures from our archives and a handful of your favourite memories. 

The Woolworths branch in Riverside, Norwich, 2002 (Image: Newsquest)

Pennie Alford has fond memories of her time as a "Saturday girl", who said: "As a teenager, I loved putting out all the cosmetics and, of course, the record department.

"We were really well looked after by the store manager and supervisor.

"Nothing but nothing has ever replaced what Woolworths meant to the people who used them and everyone seems to have just had fond memories of what it offered."

People waiting for Woolworths on St Stephens Street to open on Boxing Day to shop in their sale, 2001 (Image: Newsquest)

Susan Adams reminisced about the store's confectionary offerings: "Their salted peanuts and broken biscuits in open tins - you scooped them into a paper bag.

"Also having liver and bacon in the restaurant when we occasionally went to the city.

"Thinking now, it was a real treat as my dad was only a farm worker."

READ MORE: 7 walks that uncover Norfolk's hidden history and heritage

Rampant Horse Street, showing the old Woolworths store that they vacated in the late 1980s, pictured 1984 (Image: Newsquest)

Linda Jenkins agreed: "Yes, all good memories.

"I started with half a day on Saturdays at the age of 15 in Sheringham and graduated to full time in the school holidays.

"We climbed the metal shelving in the stock room to search for goods and to see who could reach the top! Good fun." 

Woolworths moved out and into new premises in Saint Stephens Street in the late 1980s (Image: Newsquest)

Gillian Bell remembers her commute: "Started working at Thetford Woolworths on my 15th birthday in August 1962.

"I had to bike from Barnham which was about 3 miles and wages were just over £3 a week for six days."

Norwich Woolworths staff in drag for late night shopping, November 24, 1987 (Image: Newsquest)

Colin Ashford said: "I worked as a stockroom assistant and played in our very own skiffle group called Nix over Six, as Woolworths knew there was nothing over sixpence years ago.

"Great memories."

The top floor of an old Woolworths store, November 1968 (Image: Newsquest)

Richard Pink visited the store for a special buy: "I bought my first fishing rod in the Rampant Horse Street store.

"And I remember the rotisserie chickens!"

READ MORE: 15 photos of Carrow Road through the decades

The delicatessen section of Woolworths in Norwich, 1981 (Image: Newsquest)

Teresa Anne can still recall the smells: "I remember the stationery section - particularly the fruit-smelling felt tip pens and novelty erasers!"

Little Woolies on Magdalen Street which ceased trading in September, 1975 (Image: Newsquest)

Gill Steward Hancock enjoyed her time working in the store: "Worked there for years.

"Loved the pick and mix counter and serving on the record counter as I could play whatever I wanted."

Long queues outside the Woolworths on Rampant Horse Street, 1960s (Image: Newsquest)