Woolworths could be making a shock return to the UK at some point in the future, according to a new interview with its CEO.
We all know the iconic retailer was an absolute stalwart of British high streets for over 100 years.
It started out in the UK all the way back in 1909 as F.W Woolworth & Co, and was known for selling children’s clothing, stationery, and toys right from the very beginning, before expanding its offerings as the years went on, and eventually properly taking off in the mid-1920s.
At the height of its success, new Woolworths stores were opening doors as often as every two to three weeks, and by the time 2008 rolled around, there were 807 branches across the country.
But sadly, one the recession hit amid the 2008 financial crisis, Woolworths’ sales started to rapidly decline – which led to the Group entering administration with Deloitte in November 2008.
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All Woolworths stores closed down for good by early January 2009.
Woolworths reportedly could be making a return to UK high streets / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | David Wright (via Geograph)
Since then, other retailers such as Wilko, B&M, and similar discount stores have appeared to fill the void, but that hasn’t stopped Brits lamenting the loss of the beloved ‘Woolies’ and begging for its return to our side of the pond once again.
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And now, it seems like those calls for a comeback could have finally been listened too.
That’s because Woolworths’ CEO, Roman Heini, has set out at his plans for the future of the company in a new interview, and a return to Britain is apparently on his “bucket list”.
Hinting at what could be to come for Woolworths within the next decade or so, Mr Heini – who joined Woolworth Germany in late 2020, after formerly steering the ship at supermarkets Aldi and the US branch of Lidl – told Retail Week that he has sights set on the UK.
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Woolworths’ CEO, Roman Heini, says he wants to bring the retailer back to our country / Credit: Woolworth GmbH
“The market is still there to be divided between the potential players for the future.”
Although a return to the UK is something that’s on Heini’s “bucket list,” it seems that nothing is imminent, and there are no actual concrete plans set out for a return any time soon.
He continue: “I don’t know of any brands where the recognition will be as high as it is in Britain, without having any stores. We have secured all the trademarks for the brand for the whole of Europe, so we could operate if we make the decision.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK – this is why
Emily Sergeant
A list of the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK has been revealed, and Manchester has made the cut for one very specific reason.
On a bit of a budget? Aren’t we all.
The cost of living crisis has been raging on for quite a few years now, and unfortunately, despite how much we all wish for it to, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down – with prices for everyday items, especially typical fridge and cupboard stables, shooting up by the day, even though supermarkets are showing efforts to prevent it.
And it’s the noticeable price increases in groceries that led delivery insurance provider, Street Cover, to uncover which UK cities don’t strain your food shopping budgets too much just yet.
As it was found that food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation reached 1.3% this past summer, a new study has revealed that Sheffield is officially the most affordable city in the UK, with several other northern locations on the list.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK / Credit: MCC | Aldi
The study compared the 2026 Grocery Index for the largest UK cities with the UK average, as well as available 2025 Grocery Indices, to track the changes in food affordability.
The cities are ranked by the index difference from the national average – which is 67.3 – but the report also uses direct monetary values for a grocery basket to provide some additional context too.
Manchester took sixth place on the list, with an average grocery basket price of £23.08, while some of the other northern cities in the top 10, besides Sheffield at number one, include Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.
Top 10 Most Affordable UK Cities For Groceries
Sheffield
Milton Keynes
Liverpool
Reading
Newcastle
Manchester
Leeds
Bristol
Cardiff
Southampton
As the only other North West city in the top 10, Liverpool may have come in third place overall, but the study found that the grocery bill here is the smallest in terms of actual monetary numbers – with it setting shoppers back £22.08 for a regular supermarket basket, which is a whole £1 cheaper than in Manchester.
“Data shows households in the North East of England have the lowest average food spend in the country, around 11% below the UK average, while Yorkshire sits 6.6% below,” Al Taylor, who is the Head of Street Cover, commented on the study’s findings.
“Sheffield’s position at the top reflects lower property costs for retailers, less competition from premium chains, and a supermarket landscape dominated by value-led options.
“The practical implication for household budgets is significant – the difference between budget and premium shopping can easily be £1,000 or more per year for a family, which can be spent on other things or saved for future plans.”
Featured Image – Aldi
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Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd January 2024 
