B&M ‘saves jobs’ by taking over Widnes’s Woolworths store

Feb 5 2009 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DISCOUNT chain B&M Bargains claims it has saved significant number of jobs by taking over the former Widnes branch of Woolworths.

The Albert Road store closed on January 6 after the chain became the most prominent retail victim of the financial crisis.

However, bosses at B&M have moved to secure the Widnes shop – which is due to re-open tomorrow – and confirmed that many of the former Woolworths employees have agreed to stay on.

The new store will employ 25 staff and a company spokesman confirmed that many of those jobs would be taken by former Woolworths staff who had been laid off.

He said: “I can confirm that the ex-Woolworths in Widnes town centre will be re-opening as B&M Bargains on Friday. We are also pleased to announce that a significant number of the ex-Woolworths staff have chosen to join us.”

B&M Bargains is a discount supermarket chain with more than 100 stores across the UK.

Established 29 years ago, its ranges are primarily food and drink, toiletries and everyday household cleaning goods.