A Woolworths in Bramhall, near Manchester
© AFP/File Andrew Yates LONDON (AFP) - Woolworths' 25,000 employees face an uncertain future as time runs out to find a buyer for the more than 800 stores that are a common feature on almost every British high street.
At the store in the Elephant and Castle shopping precinct in south London -- a dingy 1960s arcade scheduled for demolition -- slow-shuffling shoppers pick off the discounted goods.
"I'm absolutely gutted," one shop assistant told AFP. "I've been here nine years in the same store with the same people. It is going to be difficult," she added, preferring not to give her name.
"I feel like all the rest of us. When I had young kids we shopped here. It's an institution, everyone says the same thing that comes in here."
Woolies -- as it is affectionately known -- used to be stuffed with mothers looking for cheap toys and stationery, children bagging up handfuls of pick and mix sweets and teenagers buying the latest hit singles.
But the chain has been struggling for years and the credit crunch has finally crippled the clothes-to-confectionery retailer, whose shop windows bore signs trumpeting "up to 50 percent off" on Thursday.
Customers browse the annuals, Crystal Palace football calendars, drills and tins of chocolates, with most items at 10 or 20 percent off.
"We thought it was half price. We've walked round like fools and a lot of people have walked in thinking everything was half price and it's not," local shopper Geraldine told AFP.
"We thought we might as well visit for the sales, but it's not worth it -- and look at the queue!"
Most of the kitchenware has already been bought up but plenty of electronics remain. "The XBox 360 is just 10 percent off, there's no point buying it," one woman grumbles into her mobile phone as she heads out.
Jason Devil, 37, from Peckham in south London, walked out with 37 pounds' (55 dollars, 42 euros) worth of purchases including sweets, wrapping paper and stationery.
"They'll probably make back all their money and won't have to close it down," said the burly actor. "They should do it cheaper, though. If you're in liquidation, come on, man, sell it at the wholesale prices.
"Their computer games are cheaper in HMV. They've only took 10 percent off. You can get it online and everywhere cheaper.
Woolworths was founded in 1909 in Liverpoool, and its distinctive red and white facade has welcomed generations of shoppers seeking to save a few pennies.
But the possible final step towards its demise came two weeks ago, when accountants Deloitte were appointed as administrators.
At first they hoped to find a rescuer willing and able to take it over, but have so far failed. Earlier this week they axed 450 support staff, but tens of thousands could follow as a closing-down sale begins.
Staff are uncertain whether they will be out of work by Christmas.
"They did say on the news last night it would be the end of December. We're still getting deliveries but I suppose once the stock's gone, that's when you go," said the shop assistant.
"At our age it's not going to be easy to get a job."
Her friend added: "We've worked together so long, it's our life. Gone."
At one point Thursday in the Elephant and Castle store, security staff and a police officer march off an alleged shoplifter in a brown jacket and hoopy earrings.
The woman was heard justifying herself as she was bundled out. "She said it didn't matter, they're closing down anyway," one woman said.
©AFP