Move to get new Woolworths in Huddersfield

Jun 18 2009 By Sam Casey

A BID to re-open the huge, empty Woolworths store in Huddersfield was revealed today.

Council officials have confirmed they have been in touch with a group bidding to find a new use for 200 of the retail giant’s empty shops.

And Kirklees Council would love to see the Huddersfield store on that list.

Former Woolworths boss Sir Geoff Mulcahy is working with a group planning to create a 200-strong chain of “Woolworths-style” stores.

The group, which currently has no name, is headed by former Woolworths managing director Tony Page. He said he had been working with Sir Geoff for a month.

The group is hoping to buy some of the collapsed retailer’s vacant stores.

Sir Geoff was the chief executive of the Kingfisher group when it owned Woolworths from 1982 to 2001.

Last year he failed in a bid to take over about 500 Woolworths stores after the chain went into administration in November.

The last Woolworths stores, including the branch in Victoria Lane, closed on January 6.

Kirklees Council has written to the group in the hope his plan to resurrect part of the retail chain could include Huddersfield.