37 – 39 High Street, Spennymoor, Co. Durham
Woolworths opened in Spennymoor in 1927. It originally opened on the High Street, which we know thanks to Graham Soult’s research here. He has worked out that the Woolworths may possibly be the second building on the left in this postcard, with the awning by the lamp post.
This building does not exist anymore as it was demolished to make way for a side road.
3 Parkwood Precinct (now Festival Walk), Spennymoor, Co. Durham
Woolworths moved to a purpose-built store in the new shopping precinct in 1967. The 1972 store list calls it ‘Parkwood Precinct’ but today the road is called ‘Festival Walk’. Strangely I cannot find any photos of the store as a Woolworths.
In 1984 Kevin Alexander managed Spennymoor for 7 month. He has a story. ‘A guy came up to me in store and said “Can I buy some gift vouchers?” I said, “Sure, just pop to the till mate.” He said “I want £33,000 worth.” WHAT… he ran the leek competition in that area. I never knew there was so much money involved.’
A few decades later in 2003, Lee Pearson had his first store as a manager at Spennymoor. He says, ‘Great memories of a great store and team. Was only 23 (ages ago)!’
This Woolworths lasted until the end, closing after administration in December 2008. It soon became an Original Factory Shop. From this photo you can imagine how it looked as a Woolworths store.
Source: Ballysundriven
Woolies Buildings - Then and Now 
Sometime during the early 1980s the sales area of this store was significantly reduced in size, the back of the store being closed off. In this area were stairs which led upto a back entrance onto Durham Road. Having spent quite a bit of time in Spennymoor during the 80s and 90s I don’t remember this entrance in use but it the trademark stainless steel doors were still there with a metal criss-cross gate pulled across the front of it. Looking at Google Street View there is just a metal shutter there now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Photo of Spennymoor Woolworths 1992
LikeLiked by 1 person