Absolutely wonderful.! such memories. i bought 7" singles from woolies in the late 70,s into the 80,s, pick and mix and sat in the cafe with my mum. then i worked for M&S from 1990 after it expanded into that old Woolies store next door. then when my partner moved up to norwich in 2004 his first job was in woolies at Riverside. One store that is still sadly missed today.
I remember little Woollies down Magdalene street had wooden floors and around there it was also known as the little city . Wow thanks I haven't lived in England for a very long time and that brought back some great memories
Seeing the Cafe brought back memories, when I first married we used to meet my Grandfather there on a Saturday, have a chat and a meal, he was estranged from most of the family but my wife and I loved him to bits.
I remember going to the Rampant Horse St branch with my mum in the 1980s, I vaguely recall the escalator and the view from the top (very glassy?) which was more interesting than other dept stores. For my birthday in 1987 I received a used Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer. For those few months between getting it and the store closing, it had an excellent range of cassette computer games. I was very upset when it closed down and taken over by 'fuddy duddy' Marks and Spencer next door. It was quite a long wait for an 11 / 12 year old for the new Woolies on St. Stephens st to open up, vacated by Sainsburys.
I wa the catering manager of the Rampant Horse Street Woolies for a few years. At 225 seats, it was the second biggest in the country only beaten by a few seats by the one in Peterborough - !
I loved Woolies and bought my first duvet cover there in the early 1970'. It is my favourite cover and is still in regularly use. I also remember cycling from Hellesdon to the city to buy cheese from the cheese counter. A wonderful shop and greatly missed.
A wonderful trip down memory lane! I think just about everyone misses good old Woolies on our high streets. Enjoyed finding out more about it's history.
An interesting video. On the subject of the now empty Debenhams building, have you ever noticed the sash windows? The only place you could view them properly was by entering the corridor that led to the toilets & goods lift as the rest were all covered by displays. They are of the very traditional sash type but are entirely constructed from folded aluminium sections, joined by lovely corner pieces that appear to have been machined or cast. They are of superior qaulity & I would say they are straight out of a re-purposed WW2 aircraft factory. I would suspect Boulton & Paul. If the windows are replaced as part of the new development, I would hope that some examples are preserved for the Norfolk Museum Service or similar.
Thanks very much for your comment. I hadn't noticed the windows before, but I imagine that you could be correct given the timing of the building of the original store.
It was a special treat to have a meal in the woolworths cafe as a child. I bought my first christmass tree form there when married and i still have the bag😁 Fond memories.
I remember the rampant horse street store, use to go in there with my mum and nan in the mid/late 80s, remember as you walked in there were cookers and fridges on display, mum use to get a cup of tea from the upstairs cafe which had a balcony which looked over the store, can still see it now in my head. I remember when it moved, didn't it catch fire or something before moving to St Stephens? I loved the St Stephens store, there was a plane they ran along the ceiling on a track carring a sign, HUGE toy department at the back and pic n' mix near the tills, use to nick the sweets sometimes, lol!
there was a woolworths in nairobi kenya early 90, have to admit i remenber those wooden stalls. as a little kid me and a mate used to go lift keyrings and toy cars.very bad boys.in the end my mate got caught and his dad was a copper.did not go down well.he never ratted me out.good mate was chris.
Ah Woolies, pick and mix etc. The bain of my life during school summer holidays, there I'd be, enjoying the long break then, Wallop! "Back to School" signs all over the windows! My Mum taking me in to try on Clarks Commandos and getting a pencil case complete with protractor and compass (I bet those compasses are banned in schools now)
You forgot to mention Woolies stocking Airfix kits John - ! Woollies and Airfix agreed a stocking and distribution deal many years ago, thus assuring that any branch of Woolies would stock Airfix kits, much to the delight of a generation of enthusiastic young lads - ! 😁🤗
Ahhhh, my mum, now in her 80s, recently recalled the day I got my finger stuck in a ring attached to the staircase railing. It must've been the mid-1970s. Does anyone know what this ring or rings were for? For the record, a kind man took a tube of cream off the shelf to ease my finger out. A very missed chain of shops, even in my town where I now live.
Happy days, I loved going to Woolworths cafeteria in the 60s with my grandparents.
Thank you for your comment, I'm glad the video prompted good memories!
Absolutely wonderful.! such memories. i bought 7" singles from woolies in the late 70,s into the 80,s, pick and mix and sat in the cafe with my mum. then i worked for M&S from 1990 after it expanded into that old Woolies store next door. then when my partner moved up to norwich in 2004 his first job was in woolies at Riverside. One store that is still sadly missed today.
I completely agree Ian, glad you enjoyed the video.
This is lovely. I loved the Woolies cafe.
Thank you for commenting.
Thank you for keeping our beautiful city's heritage and history alive 👌👌👌 like #43 and subscribed ✨✨✨✨✨
Thank you very much! 👍
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich pleasure, keep it up 👌💯
I remember little Woollies down Magdalene street had wooden floors and around there it was also known as the little city . Wow thanks I haven't lived in England for a very long time and that brought back some great memories
Thank you, I'm glad the video brought back memories for you.
Seeing the Cafe brought back memories, when I first married we used to meet my Grandfather there on a Saturday, have a chat and a meal, he was estranged from most of the family but my wife and I loved him to bits.
Thank you for sharing such a special memory.
always a pleasure to watch your videos. Lovely stuff
Thank you Ross that's very kind ☺️
I remember going to the Rampant Horse St branch with my mum in the 1980s, I vaguely recall the escalator and the view from the top (very glassy?) which was more interesting than other dept stores. For my birthday in 1987 I received a used Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer. For those few months between getting it and the store closing, it had an excellent range of cassette computer games. I was very upset when it closed down and taken over by 'fuddy duddy' Marks and Spencer next door. It was quite a long wait for an 11 / 12 year old for the new Woolies on St. Stephens st to open up, vacated by Sainsburys.
Thanks very much for sharing your memories!
I wa the catering manager of the Rampant Horse Street Woolies for a few years. At 225 seats, it was the second biggest in the country only beaten by a few seats by the one in Peterborough - !
That's interesting - shame Peterborough beat us!
I thought I new all about Woolworths Norwich but I was very wrong, Thank you for educating me, As always very well put together, More please.
Thank you for your comment. My aim is to do a new video alternate Thursdays - hopefully!
I loved Woolies and bought my first duvet cover there in the early 1970'. It is my favourite cover and is still in regularly use. I also remember cycling from Hellesdon to the city to buy cheese from the cheese counter. A wonderful shop and greatly missed.
Thank you, they are great memories to have shared.
A wonderful trip down memory lane! I think just about everyone misses good old Woolies on our high streets. Enjoyed finding out more about it's history.
Thank you. Yes, tbe responses to this video has shown me just how popular Woolies was. Much missed!
Yes by the back exit door 👍
An interesting video.
On the subject of the now empty Debenhams building, have you ever noticed the sash windows?
The only place you could view them properly was by entering the corridor that led to the toilets & goods lift as the rest were all covered by displays.
They are of the very traditional sash type but are entirely constructed from folded aluminium sections, joined by lovely corner pieces that appear to have been machined or cast.
They are of superior qaulity & I would say they are straight out of a re-purposed WW2 aircraft factory. I would suspect Boulton & Paul.
If the windows are replaced as part of the new development, I would hope that some examples are preserved for the Norfolk Museum Service or similar.
Thanks very much for your comment. I hadn't noticed the windows before, but I imagine that you could be correct given the timing of the building of the original store.
It was a special treat to have a meal in the woolworths cafe as a child. I bought my first christmass tree form there when married and i still have the bag😁 Fond memories.
Thank you, I'm glad the video brought back memories.
Lovely video. I miss Woolies pick n mix. The Ladybird clothes for kids were excellent. I bought my son many clothing items from there.
Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Can remember the notes asking children not to touch and eat the pix n mix sweets until you paid for them
Happy days
I remember that the canteen had a very strange smell that I have never encountered anywhere else.
It's funny how smells can bring back memories. This video might be of interest th-cam.com/video/rlbpANep204/w-d-xo.html
Pick and mix!!
Indeed🤣
Great, keep them coming.
Thanks Keith, there will be another one tomorrow!
I remember the rampant horse street store, use to go in there with my mum and nan in the mid/late 80s, remember as you walked in there were cookers and fridges on display, mum use to get a cup of tea from the upstairs cafe which had a balcony which looked over the store, can still see it now in my head. I remember when it moved, didn't it catch fire or something before moving to St Stephens? I loved the St Stephens store, there was a plane they ran along the ceiling on a track carring a sign, HUGE toy department at the back and pic n' mix near the tills, use to nick the sweets sometimes, lol!
Thank you for adding all that! I don't remember a fire at RHS, but can certainly remember the cafe and it's slightly greasy smell!
there was a woolworths in nairobi kenya early 90, have to admit i remenber those wooden stalls. as a little kid me and a mate used to go lift keyrings and toy cars.very bad boys.in the end my mate got caught and his dad was a copper.did not go down well.he never ratted me out.good mate was chris.
Good old Chris!
I really miss Woollies, the pick 'n' mix has never been bettered by any shop. I always preferred to shop there for stuff that I go to Jarrolds for now
Woolies was certainly unique. I always used to say that a town without a Woolies is not a proper town!
Ah Woolies, pick and mix etc. The bain of my life during school summer holidays, there I'd be, enjoying the long break then, Wallop! "Back to School" signs all over the windows! My Mum taking me in to try on Clarks Commandos and getting a pencil case complete with protractor and compass (I bet those compasses are banned in schools now)
Nice one Andrew! Yes they always seemed to be early starters on that front!
Ref. stiil calling Chantry Mall Chapelfield, I still call Norwich Station Thorpe Sation - ! 🤣
And I bet John Lewis is still Bonds!
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich When I don't think about it and Debenham's was still Curl's for a while after the buy out - ! 😆
I remember Woolies cafe. They had roast chickens in a glass-fronted rotisserie, bathed in a strange yellow light. I'm sure they were plastic.
I can only really remember the smell!
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Yep, I remember the smell too!
Wow I’ve never been in a woolies but I really miss a good old woolies
As you've never been in a Woolies, that's a great comment thank you!
This is cool! Also, do you remember C&A's whete McDonald's is now in Haymarket?
yes I do. I sometimes think I ought to do a video about shops!
You forgot to mention Woolies stocking Airfix kits John - ! Woollies and Airfix agreed a stocking and distribution deal many years ago, thus assuring that any branch of Woolies would stock Airfix kits, much to the delight of a generation of enthusiastic young lads - ! 😁🤗
Thanks for that addition Simon!
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Ahh, many was the Saturday I'd zoom down to Woollies with my two bob pocket money to blow on a series one Airfix kit - ! 😆
Woolies was definitely a venue for spending pocket money!
@@JohnAtkinsLostNorwich Pick 'n' Mix, broken biscuits, the record corner to name just three - ! 😆
Thanks for that I bought my first pair of football boots in Woolies Rampant Horse Street.
They sold everything, but I didn't know that included football boots! Glad you liked it.
I believe the Woolworth had there own brand Wingfield (or similar)
My brain stores useless information.
Ahhhh, my mum, now in her 80s, recently recalled the day I got my finger stuck in a ring attached to the staircase railing. It must've been the mid-1970s. Does anyone know what this ring or rings were for? For the record, a kind man took a tube of cream off the shelf to ease my finger out. A very missed chain of shops, even in my town where I now live.
I don't remember those rings, but they certainly sound like a design fault!
got my first passport photos from a machine in woolworths cafe upstairs .
Ah yes, I'd forgotten! Wasn't it on a landing....?
Wolworths Pty Ltd in South Africa also has no connection with FW
Thank you Julia! How did I miss this comment from two weeks ago? Sometimes that happens for some inexplicable reason.
Hi there, do you have contact details?
Yes you can contact me at johnnelsonatkins@gmail.com