POPULAR retailer Woolworths could be making a shock return to the country’s high streets almost a decade after it closed its doors.

The retailer had 807 stores nationwide, including one in Bromsgrove’s High Street for more than 75 years, when it closed in 2008 after the company entered administration.

Hordes of devastated Advertiser readers got in touch to share their disappointment at losing the much-loved store, which was even allegedly home to the ‘Woolworths ghost’.

Yet 'Woolies' could be making a comeback after former brand director Tony Page revealed he has made an approach to buy the name back from current trademark holders Shop Direct, with plans to open new stores.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Mr Page said: "I have contacted Shop Direct and said 'you're not using the brand anymore, would you consider giving it to someone who would?'"

"I still absolutely think it would still be a physical retailer.

"I would want it to be much more a part of the community.

“The stores [that really] used to do well were those that were at the heart of the community, rather than being in the big shopping centres.

"It is much easier to walk down the road than to order on Amazon."

Woolworths – which sold music, gifts and clothes and was also famous for its ‘pick ‘n’ mix’ – continued as an online store until 2015 after its trademark was purchased by Shop Direct.

It's closure in Bromsgrove after more than 75 years serving the town prompted devastated Advertiser readers to send in their memories.

One reader, Tracey Unwin, spoke of tales of the 'Woolworths ghost', as told by her aunt Sylvia Harper, who worked at the store when she was 14 in 1946 until 1986.

Tracey said: “She worked in the stockroom for all this time and had many experiences with Charlie the ghost.

“It was believed he died in the bottom corner of the stockroom and this is where most of the problems occurred.

“She remembers she would go into work many times to find things scattered all over the floor, she also remembers that lights would be turned off and then come back on again.

“She also used to find bags of sweets opened even though these sweets were kept in a locked room with only Sylvia having a key.”

The site of the former Woolworths is now occupied by Poundland.

Would you want to see Woolworths return? What shops would you like to see to improve Bromsgrove’s High Street? Email yournews@bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk or comment below.

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