200 Woolworths stores shut for last time

This Woolworths store in Stroud, Gloucestershire was rammed with hundreds of bargain-hunting shoppers on its last day of trading

British shoppers bade a final farewell to Woolworths today as the company's remaining 200 stores closed for the last time.

Most outlets had already shut down with many of the 807 shops ending trading before the New Year.

Another 200 stores opened for the final time on Saturday after a one-day reprieve by the High Street chain's administrator Deloitte.

Woolworths, a family favourite on the high street for 100 years, went into administration in November with debts of £385million.

Staff close the shutters for the last time at Woolworths in Harold Hill, Essex

The stores have been closing in stages through late December after selling off stock as well as fixtures and fittings at discount prices.

The last 200 shops were expected to cease trading on Monday but Deloitte extended the deadline by a day to allow remaining stock to be sold.

Shoppers in Stroud make the most of last-minute bargains

The chain - whose first British store was opened by American FW Woolworth in Liverpool in 1909 - is the most high-profile UK High Street casualty of the economic downturn, leaving 27,000 workers facing redundancy.

It ran into trouble this year after struggling with huge debts, and its problems were compounded when it was forced to pay cash for goods after credit insurers were no longer prepared to cover its suppliers.

Yesterday fans of the store showed up in large numbers to lament the passing of the store - and pick off the last of the bargains.