u3a

Washington Village

Wor Woolies - An Architectural Tour of Former Woolworths Stores in the North East: Graham Soult

Event type: Meeting
Date: 5th June 2025
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Venue: The Stella
Organiser:

In this richly illustrated and entertaining talk, featuring historic images and his own photographs, retail consultant Graham Soult – who’s appeared on BBC News, Channel 5 and The One Show – tells the story of Woolworths through its buildings.
Starting with the retailer’s UK launch in 1909, he takes the audience through all the highs and lows, including its first stores in the North East, its spectacular growth from the 1920s to the 1960s, and its subsequent decline and closure. Having visited and photographed all the former Woolworths stores in the North East, Graham’s talk ends with a reveal of what they have all now become.