When one door closes, another one opens; but not in the St Albans! In recent times, St Peters Street has witnessed so many closures and few openings.
However, Tescos has moved into the old Woolworth premises and Poundworld has opened up where Tescos used to be.
Despite my past attitudes to the quality of Pound stores, I must admit that this new one is fab!
The shelves are adorned by all sorts from sweets, party gear, DIY bits and halloween decorations to walking sticks and stationary. And all just for £1. Great for filling the kids’ party bags and letting kids go wild on their pocket money! The garden gnomes have got to be the best buy!
It was a sad day last month for the people of St Albans when one of their beloved shops, Woolworths, closed for the last time.
They said goodbye to the Pick n Mix, the toys, the cards and all those other interesting items which occupied this colourful store.
I spoke to an elderly couple who attended the closing down sale and asked what this means to them.
The lady replied ‘We have been coming here for so many years. This is where I come for my cotton reels and other sewing items. Now I am not sure where to get all those kind of things in one store. We are very sad about this store closing down. I hope they open another department store in its place.’
Children loved Woolworths for its happy atmosphere and well displayed variety of toys. Woolworth’s products were affordable and fun! Woolworth’s vouchers were a favourite amongst many families.
It was said that the closing of this store would have happened eventually, with or without the credit crunch. Whatever the reason, and whatever our taste in shopping, it is rather sad to pass the empty store on St Peter’s street. A piece of history has passed with it.
In this current climate of recession, residents of St Albans were happy to have the opportunity to visit the top attractions for free! There were numerous themed guided walks / tours available e.g. Ghost walk, Crime and Punishment walk and the Cathedral Tower Tours. The Abbey also held an exhibition of the vestments. Here you had the opportunity to see the amazing handwork close up as well as speak to the ladies who were responsible for some of them.
Those who were at the Abbey around Saturday lunchtime would have been fortunate enough to encounter the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, St Albans Choir and soloists rehearsing for their evening concert.
Restaurants took part by offering discounts or free wine and desserts with meals. Attractions such as Redbournbury Water Mill, The Roman Theatre and The Clock Tower were free to enter.
This weekend was well worth the visit, even if it’s to sit by the clock tower, watch the people in droves walk around our historic city and listen to the music of the buskers.
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