MACCLESFIELD shoppers have walked away from their Mill Street Woolworths for the very last time.

The much-loved retail chain – one of 807 UK outlets – ceased trading yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, January 6), after an extra day to sell off remaining stock to dejected customers.

Perusing through the cut-price products was Barry Duffield, 67, of Westbury Drive, Macclesfield. The retired MBC worker said his five grandchildren and daughter will miss it more than him.

"I’m sad I guess. I come to Woolworths often enough but my wife, daughter and grandchildren will hate to see it go! I guess younger people will miss it – it’s been here for years. It must be hard for the staff as well."

Since Woolworths went into administration in November 2008, with debts of £385million, its administrator Deloitte has been unable to find a buyer.

The 26-strong staff at Mill Street Woolies are among 27,000 UK Woolworths workers facing redundancy, and are expected to report to work on Wednesday, January 7 – but their future is uncertain.

A spokesman for Deloitte, joint administrators to Woolworths Plc, said staff will be retained for a period following the store closures.

"We are working closely with the Redundancy Payments Office and Job Centre Plus to provide support for all staff, which will include a fast track process for paying redundancy entitlements."

Another 199 stores also closed yesterday as part of a strategic three phase shut-down – signalling the end for Woolworths.

The Mill Street final day clearout included 80 per cent off DVDs, videos and CDs.

Rachel Deering, 35, a housewife who lives on Thornton Square, is sad to see her favourite store fold.

The mum-of-four said: "You can get anything from Woolworths. It’s a chain that you take for granted so I for one will miss it so much."

Deloitte has held talks with other retailers to take on the leases of about 300 Woolworths stores.