F W Woolworth

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Introduction
Frank Winfield Woolworth started this US chain in 1879. In 1909 the first UK store opened in Liverpool. Its shop front is partially used on the piece, with upper floors from Croydon. This LP80 marks the 1935 Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary. Shops were decorated and sold Woolworth’s own Jubilee lines.

 Until 2009 Croydon, a southern suburb of Greater London, was the world’s oldest trading store. Founder FWW picked this location, opening the shop himself in 1912.

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Hazle Ceramics
F W Woolworth 1935
Limited Painting of 80
on London Woolworths

20th Anniversary 2010
By Michele & Hazle

 Frank’s cousin Fred Moore Woolworth ran Liverpool’s Church St store 1909-23.

 1930s Pic ’n’ Mix and paperbacks behind.

UK/Europe £65
Rest of World £55.32

The Wonder of Woolies
The wonder was huge variety at great value: sweets, homewares, toys, books, music, food and kids’ clothes including Ladybird from 1934. By the mid-20s a store opened every 17 days. Due to war inflation, Nix over Six prices ended in the 1940s. In the 50s-60s Woolworths’ Embassy label used unknown artists for hit records. By the 70s entertainment and music were staples. In the 80s-90s new owners pruned lines. But the 2008 credit crisis came amid falling sales due to music downloads, discount chains and big supermarkets. All shops were closed by early 2009. The Telegraph’s Barclay brothers owned the new website in 2010.

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 1930s quality tools with wood handles and iron finials, sold in vast quantities at 6d each and made little profit!

 Mass-produced china at Church Street, far cheaper than anywhere else in Britain.