Woolworths’ 807 stores are to close by 5 January 2009.

One of the UK’s oldest high-street retailers will close all of its stores by 5 January – farewell to Woolworths.

Forced to call in administrators three weeks ago amid mounting debts and losses, “Woolies” has yet to find a buyer.

Its administrators say that all 807 stores will close by 5 January, meaning that all 27,000 permanent and temporary staff will lose their jobs if no last-minute buyer is found.

Neville Kahn, Dan Butters and Nick Dargan of Deloitte & Touche LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of Woolworths plc and Entertainment UK Limited on 27 November 2008.

They announced today that around 200 of the company’s stores would close by 27 December, followed by a second batch of 200 on 30 December, 200 on 2 January and the final closures on 5 January.

Deloitte said it had received interest from other retailers for 300 Woolworths stores – operating in food, clothes and ‘value’ products. They also said that efforts would be made to put Woolworths staff losing their jobs in contact with these potential employers.

A number of supermarkets are said to be interested in some sites that will become vacant after the chain closes.

Bargain-hunting customers flocked to branches across the country last week on the first day of the closure sale, and stock is being replenished in large amounts to fulfill the demand.

Founded in 1909, Woolworths will sadly not make its 100th birthday, and what was once a cornerstone of many UK high streets will be no more.