The nation lamented almost a decade ago when high street favourite Woolworths made the shock announcement it was to close.

In an ailing high street climate, it seemed the iconic retailer’s collapse was still being felt across the nation all those years later.

However, for nostalgic fans of the childhood favourite shop, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

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Former director of the brand Tony Page has now revealed he has approached Shop Direct to buy the name back.

Mr Page would like to see the chain return in a “similar format,” he told the Daily Star.

However, in a slight twist, he said that, instead of having it hit large shopping centres, he would bring the stores to the “heart of communities.”

“I am still emotionally attached to it,” he told the paper, adding, “I still think it has got a role in the future.”

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In December 2008, almost 30,000 shop workers were told they would be losing their jobs when Woolworths shut every one of its all 813 stores the following month.

The firm had 81 stores in Scotland and shoppers quickly stripped shelves at closing-down sales over a two-week period following the failure to find a buyer for the struggling firm.

Nicknamed Woolies, the chain had been in business for 99 years before being forced to call in administrators as debts mounted in a worsening high street climate.