Today I took a walk around Woolworths in the Shawlands Arcade, the closing down sale was in full swing. In common with most of the British public I have very nostalgic memories of Woolies.
The large Woolworths store that once dominated east end of Princes street in Edinburgh has a particular sentimental resonance for me. I remember being bought toys from the first floor and seeing a lava lamp for the first time. It was also the first store that I got lost in. It was a winter’s day and my mum was wearing a hat. I got separated from her somehow, most likely I wasn’t paying attention. Anyway I saw the hat behind some shelves so I chased after it, only to find someone else with the same hat. A member of staff spotted me and took me to a rendezvous point where my mum was waiting.
The second floor of Woolies was a restaurant which was themed with Clan tartans. Although I can only remember being in the restaurant a few times it has a very special place in my personal history as it was in the restaurant that my mum and dad met each other. One of them asked the other for a light for a cigarette, how times have changed.
As I took a last turn round the floor of the Shawlands branch I felt very detached from the scrabble going on around me. There was nothing that I needed to buy so desperately that I would be willing to wait in the long queue.
The phrase ” a queue like an execution” has never seemed more appropriate.
Tags: edinburgh · Glasgow · princes street · shawlands · woolies · woolworths3 Comments
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The passing of Oliver Postgate and the final death throes of Woolies all in one week. They certainly tug at the childhood memories. Woolworths for me is more a memory of buying 7″ singles and blanks cassettes and stationary when very young together with the pick ‘n’ mix sweets. Will only the supermarkets be left standing after devouring everyone else?
I have a copy Oliver Postgate’s Autobiography which I plan to start reading soon. I also have two Clangers that sit on my fireplace but I hope will top off my Christmas tree this year.
Good Read. I also got lost for the first (and I think only time) in Woolies in Bath. I think on another time it was where I contracted whooping cough (or so my Mother says)