Bristol Woolworths store reopens - as 'Woolies'

A new market in an old Woolworths store in Bristol has started to welcome customers.

And after hundreds of suggestions from Bristol Evening Post readers it finally has a name – Woolies.

The two-storey market in Blackboy Hill, Clifton, officially opens on Thursday but many stalls on the ground floor have opened for business – and are already proving a hit with shoppers.

Among the 21 stalls on the ground floor is a shoe shop, a stall selling handbags, a crockery and gift shop, bakers and a stand selling glassware.

Also on the ground floor are fatherand-son team Mike and Rob Bessell, whose family is back in the fruit and veg business after an 18-year hiatus.

Rob, aged 24, of Kingswood, said: "Selling fruit and veg has been in our family for generations. My grandpa used to do it and his father before him."

Mike, 49, of Frenchay, said: "I heard they were doing the market so it seemed like a good idea. It's not a market for the occasional purchase, it's for everyday purchases, which is better."

Richard Tunesi, 42, of St Andrews, was manning a stall filled with pure wool boucle suits and bridal wear.

He said: "My girlfriend, Charlotte Smith, is a fashion designer. This just seemed a really good way of having an outlet and at £85 per week it's much cheaper than a shop."

Ryan Coghlan, 22, of Bedminster, is co-owner of The Sausage Fest, a stall selling unusual bangers with names like Chilli Billy, with goats cheese, and Scrumpy Joe, with real cider.

He said: "People can buy their veg, meat and bread here fresh every day and that's never a bad thing."

Upstairs 13 open-plan units housing vintage clothing and furniture, books, vinyl and even a photography and prints studio are planned. There will also be a coffee shop.

The market is due to fully open on Thursday when, in tribute to Britain's best-loved TV market trader, a Del Boy look-alike will cut the ribbon in an official ceremony at 1pm.

John Skinner, one of the directors of Endless Property Company which owns the building, said there were about 10 names being thrown around but Woolies came out on top.

He said: "It was about 10 to one in favour. People used to say 'I'm just popping to Woolies', so that's where it came from I think.

"It's great to be able to give local businesses a place to trade and many are new start-up businesses.

"If local opinion is anything to go by, we should do really well."