Last Woolworths stores to close

The last remaining stores of UK high street retailer Woolworths will close their doors for the final time at the end of trading today.

The closures bring to an end a massive clearance sale which even saw the stores’ fixtures and fittings sold off at bargain prices.

The collapse leaves 27,000 workers out of work across Britain.

The firm’s 807 stores have been closing in tranches throughout the final weeks of December after selling off stock, fixtures and fittings at discount prices.

The final 200 were expected to close yesterday but administrator Deloitte gave the chain a brief reprieve to shift the remaining stock and allow final arrangements to be made.

Deloitte would not confirm how much money has been raised by the stock sale but many stores have been emptied by bargain hunters.

It has held talks with other retailers to take on the leases of around 300 Woolworths stores and hopes to sell off the Ladybird children’s clothes and Chad Valley toys brands.