A former Woolworths manager has reopened her store in Dorset under the name Wellworths, re-employing 20 of her staff.
Claire Robertson, 34, has defied the economic downturn by launching the new store in Dorchester named ‘Wellies’ to sell pick and mix, crafts, pet novelties and toys made locally.
Robertson, who had worked at the high-street chain for 18 years, said she hoped the move would inspire people to “do something new”.
In re-opening the store, Robertson has beaten Jamie Oliver to saving jobs after he hinted earlier this year he would help find work for some of the newly unemployed staff.
The Dorchester branch was one of 815 that closed after Woolworths went into administration last November with debts of £385m. Some 30,000 staff lost their jobs.
