Woolworths on Wheels

One of the more bizarre episodes of Woolworths' history was the 1957 launch of a mobile shop, which was intended to be the first of a fleet. A single decker 'Green' bus was purchased from the London Country Bus Company and converted into a small self-service shop. It was filled with a selection of household items and toiletries. A "Manager/Driver" was appointed along with two Sales Assistants. They were instructed to take the shop to a selection of towns in Essex where the firm did not have a traditional store, on the same day each week.

Resplendent in red livery, and for the first time branded WOOLWORTHS (without an apostrophe or the 'F. W.' prefix), the mobile shop was launched in the Spring of 1958, hitting the mean streets of Basildon New Town and Canvey Island, along with trial visits to Thetford and Haverhill. Special offers and the novelty of the idea ensured plenty of customers, and good early sales.

The shop was one of Woolworth's first self-service outlets, embracing the principles more whole-heartedly than the bricks and mortar stores. It had separate entrance and exit doors and one of the company's first electro-mechanical cash registers which added up the shopping instead of the assistant having to do this. By using the latest display principles the store was able to stock over a thousand products priced from one old penny (½p) to five shillings (25p). Every inch of wall space was crammed full.

Any illusions that Company bosses had that life would be easy for the mobile shop were soon shattered. While it was warmly received by some shoppers, local traders hated it, particularly in established towns which didn't have a Woolies. They lobbied local councillors to ban the mobile shop, pointing out that it did not pay rent and rates or employ local people.  They said that the lower running costs gave Woolworths an unfair advantage. Fortunately Basildon and Canvey Island traders were more generous and were prepared to give the new idea a chance.