Could the High Wycombe Woolworths site become the Red Lion Hotel again? By Philip Suter

I read in The Guardian this week a feature entitled "Love hotels for lean times". The report is about hotels in places like Paris, Osaka Japan, New York, Barcelona, Vienna and other cities who have rooms that can be rented for just a few hours. The article is explaining that Valentines day is at a time when you are still paying off your credit card after Christmas and New Year expenditure. Here is a cheaper way of spending Valentines day (or part of it!).

So in the High Street High Wycombe stands the former Woolworths store that finally closed earlier this month. It had been there since 1969 and of course up until the early 1960's the famous Red Lion Hotel was there. The hotel’s iconic red lion statue, a major High Wycombe landmark, still stands on the colonnade outside the store.

Here is the answer to the empty building. Turn it back into a hotel again and as we are now in the credit crunch era take into account what these hotels in The Guardian article are doing. Well if that doesn't happen maybe Iceland might move in!

Whatever happens, if you are going travelling, even for a romantic weekend, don't forget your travel insurance. jml Insurance acts as introducers to Endsleigh, Essential Travel, Direct Travel, Devon Direct, Simple and Staysure Travel insurance. Insurance is one essential you can't afford to be without today.

©Philip Suter jml Property Services January 2009

Meanwhile in March 2009 one former Woolworths store in Dorchester, Dorset has re-opened under the name Wellworths. Former Manager of the Dorchester Store, Claire Robertson, who had worked for Woolworths for many years has got the the financial backing of a consortium which is led by the Ireland based owner of the store to reopen the store. As Woolworths was known as Woolies, this store will be known as Wellies.

Postcript to this story 2nd April 2009

Thursday 2nd April, subject to one hour documentary at 9.00 on BBC1 prime time television entitled "How Woolies Became Wellies: One Woman's Fight for the High Street".

Wellworths Birthday Celebrations Staff enjoying the Wellworths Party The staff at Wellworths celebrated their 1st anniversary of opening their Dorchester store last night with a party at the Wessex Hotel - March 2010 More Here

2011: Woolworth's building in High Wycombe is now occupied by the food retailer Iceland and Poundworld

Wellworths forced to change name by Woolworths owner See BBC News October 2010 New name to be Wellchester

See also Woolies Buildings – Then and Now

 

 

This article was located at the jml Property website until August 2017

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Source of images, unless otherwise stated - Suter family archives

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