REVEALED: Discount store to replace Woolworths in Crawley
THE "big hole" left vacant by Woolworths in Crawley's town centre will soon be filled by a discount chain store.
Bargain-basement shop Poundland is set to start trading from the site in Queens Square, the News understands.
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PRETTY VACANT: Woolworths closed down at the start of the year
It is believed the pound shop will take over the store as part of a temporary three year lease.
Poundland, which claims to be Europe's biggest single price discount retailer, offers a range of food, drink and household goods for just £1.
The Woolworths in Crawley has been left empty throughout 2009 after the company collapsed late last year.
Poundland already has a town centre store but it is not clear what will happen to that site when the move to the former Woolworths unit takes place.
Shoppers have given a mixed reaction to the news.
Terry Cox, 64, from Gossops Green, said: "There is a big hole where Woolworths used to be. We've already got one Poundland but if it helps the economy I think it is probably a good thing.
"I go shopping in the Poundland that is there now, so I will probably use it."
However Martin Horsfield, 48, of Three Bridges, said: "That's just what we need, another pound shop. There are already too many as it is.
"I don't think it good for the kudos of the whole town."
Poundland remained tight-lipped when pressed on its plans by the News yesterday (Tuesday), but admitted the chain is "constantly on the look out for new opportunities".
A spokeswoman added: "Poundland is currently considering the acquisition of new stores to add to the 14 stores already opened this year."
2 Comments
by mark buschhaus, Toy Barnhaus/CountyMall
Friday, October 09 2009, 1:25PM
“As the ex-manager of Woolworths in Crawley,I Think that it is great,that finally some one is taking over the store,i and many collegues had many good years there,good luck
poundland,and hopefully some more jobs will come available for the town.
Mark Toybarnhaus”
by Steve, Langley Green
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 10:02AM
“You have to love some people...the old woolworths store has been empty for months and was becoming an eye sore. Only one company seemed interested in it, Poundland and yet Martin from Three Bridges still has a moan...crazy. Its better to have someone trading from it then for it to be empty...because the kudos of the town as you put it is far worse when you have empty shops.”