Category: Stoke-on-Trent

Memory Lane – Hanley Woolworths

There was something for everyone at Woolworths, a chain store found on High Streets in England and Wales.

Affectionately known as “Woolies”, Woolworths stocked a wide range of goods. These included toys and games, sweets and chocolate, and record players.

They also sold portable radios, car accessories, household paint, stamps, stationery, electric fires and fan heaters. The larger stores sold garden furniture and plants. If you and your family shopped at Hanley Woolworths, tell us about the shop and the things it sold. Email, northstaffordshireheritage@outlook.com

To learn about Hanley Woolworths, click “Woolies Buildings-Then and Now” at the top of the extract.

NSH.2024

sabrina's avatarWoolies Buildings - Then and Now

7-9 Upper Market Square, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST1 1PY

In 1915, World War One did not stop Woolworth expanding and they opened their 55th store on Upper Market Square in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. As with many war-time stores, it had a similar design to Kingston-upon-Thames (Store 43), with an open pediment and a Venetian window.

Hanley Woolworths 1920s Hanley Woolworths 1920s

Source: Historic England

In 1937 the store had a makeover, and as it was a long-store, the design was Art Deco with a centrepiece at the top.

Hanley Woolworths 1950s Hanley Woolworths 1950s

Source: ThePoterries.org

Hanley Woolworths 1950s Hanley Woolworths 1950s

Hanley Woolworths 1958 Hanley Woolworths 1958

Hanley Woolworths 1960s Hanley Woolworths 1960s

Source: Pinterest

In the 1970s the store was modernised along with the conversion to self-service. A typical frontage design was to have long narrow brick sections alternating with aluminium panels. As for the entrance, the display windows were moved to the sides and a panel of doors installed across the centre.

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Memory Lane – Longton Woolworths

sabrina's avatarWoolies Buildings - Then and Now

28 Market Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST3 1BT

Woolworths opened in Longton in 1927, back when it was a rich and thriving town. You can see the store on the left side of this photo, next to Boots.

Longton Woolworths 1950s Longton Woolworths 1950s

Source: Stoke-on-Trent Live

In 1965, a new shopping centre called the Bennett Precinct opened. It still exists today, with a very green look. Woolworths extended in size, taking over Boots, and having a new boxy look. It had a side entrance into the Bennett Precinct. The store lasted until the end, closing in December 2008.

Longton Woolworths 2008 Longton Woolworths 2008

Source: The Potteries

Longton is quite a sad story when you look at it today. This photo is at the exact same angle as the 1950s one at the start of this post. What was once a bustled street is now full of abandoned shops. The only bit still in use…

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Memory Lane – Stoke-upon-Trent Woolworths

sabrina's avatarWoolies Buildings - Then and Now

6-8 Majestic Buildings, Campbell Place, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs 

Woolworths opened in Stoke-on-Trent in 1928. Two other Stoke-on-Trent stores already existed at Hanley and Longton. This third one opened at 6-8 Majestic Buildings, which we know thanks to Graham Soult‘s research. You can see the small store on the far right of this photo. The building on the far left was the Majestic Cinema, and in front are concrete shelters for cinema-goers to be protected from the rain when queuing.

Stoke-on-Trent Woolworths 1957 Stoke-on-Trent Woolworths 1957

12 – 14 Campbell Place, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST4 1LY

In the 1957, quite soon after the above photo was taken, Woolworths acquired the cinema and demolished it to building a new, bigger store. The rather ugly concrete shelters were kept – they were then used as bus shelters.

Stoke on Trent Woolworths 1960s Stoke on Trent Woolworths 1960s

Source: Facebook

In the below 1963 photo, you can see the new Woolworths store in…

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Memory Lane – Burslem Woolworths

sabrina's avatarWoolies Buildings - Then and Now

17-19 St John’s Square, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST6 3AN

Woolworths opened in Burslem in September 1929 in a purpose-built two-storey building. According to the book Burslem Through Time by Mervyn Edwards, the first store manager was L.H. Hewitt. This branch of Woolworths stocked a range of locally manufactured china and pottery items.

Burslem Woolworths 1930s Burslem Woolworths 1930s

Source: Historic England

In 1966 the store was modernised – this photo was taken just after the store reopened. Doors were moved to the left, and inside you can see signage on the walls saying ‘Quality Foods’ and ‘Frozen Foods’. The store was quite long inside.

Burslem Woolworths 1966Burslem Woolworths 1966

Source: Seaton, P.

Burslem Woolworths 1994 Burslem Woolworths 1994

Source: Burslem Through Time – Edwards, M.

Burslem Woolworths 2000 Burslem Woolworths 2000

Source: The Potteries

The store lasted until the end, closing on 2nd January 2009.

Burslem Woolworths 2008 Burslem Woolworths 2008

Source: The Potteries

It became a Poundstretcher for a few years…

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Memory Lane – Tunstall Woolworths

Until they closed in 2009, Woolworths stores dominated the High Street in Britain’s small towns and cities.

Affectionately known as “Woolies”, they sold a wide range of goods ranging from children’s toys and sweets to tins of paint and cutlery. Prices were reasonable and Woolworths attracted customers from all walks of life. If you and your family went shopping at Woolworths in Tunstall, please share your memories of shopping there with us. We look forward to hearing from you. Our email address is northstaffordshireheritage@outlook.com

Tunstall Woolworths – Store 483

New life for an old building

Ambitious plans for the Queen’s Theatre

Ambitious plans have been made to save “Burslem’s new town hall”, a listed heritage building that houses the Queen’s Theatre and the Prince’s Hall.

The proposals made in a report prepared for Stoke-on-Trent City Council by architectural consultants Affinity Design and Management would cost over 12 million pounds to implement.

The theatre and the hall were abandoned many years ago, and it will cost about £320,000 to make the building safe.

If the council accepts them, the proposals could make the theatre a conference centre, an exhibition hall or a venue for Asian weddings and the foyer could become a bar or restaurant.

The Prince’s Hall would be turned into retail shops or become one or two-bedroom flats with a shared roof garden.

Can You Help Sandra?

How Did Pickle Onion Entry Get Its Name?

Sandra, who grew up in Tunstall during the 1970s, remembers Pickle Onion Entry. The entry ran on the north side of a pottery factory in Scotia Road to Wardle Street, a cul-de-sac leading to The Boulevard.

Sandra can’t remember the factory’s name. She recalls that Barbers Palace backed onto the north side of the entry which was long and straight with high walls on either side. If you can remember the entry or know how it got its name, please get in touch and share your memories.

Our email address is northstaffordshireheritage@outlook.com

The name Pickle Onion Entry must be unique.

Like Sandra, we should like to know how the entry got its name and look forward to receiving your emails.

Note: Sandra contacted us a year ago. Although people can remember the entry no one has been able to tell us how it got its name. Can you solve the mystery?