DIYWEEK.net

After months of press speculation, a chain of Woolworths lookalike stores is now set to hit the high street from November but without the involvement of Tony Page.
Alworths, whose offer will largely mirror that of the collapsed Woolies chain, is planning around 50 openings, starting with a former Woolworths site in Didcot, Oxfordshire on November 5.

However, the business could be about to become embroiled in a legal tussle following a split between the men who came up with the idea of reviving the famous retail name.

Former Woolworths director Tony Page had been working with former head of stores and concessions at Woolworths, Andy Latham, and banker Gareth Thomas, to raise £10m to launch a new Woolworths-style chain. However, Mr Page is now no longer involved with the venture, and Alworths is to be headed up by Latham.

In June Mr Page launched a nationwide search to find a name for the new retail chain, inviting suggestions on diyweek.net and his Twitter page twitter.com/pageys - where he has since commented on the latest news. Mr Page has also revealed that he and Mr Thomas are seeking legal advice over the matter.

Meanwhile, Mr Latham is said to be recruiting a number of former Woolworths employees to work within the Alworths business. Hamilton PR has been appointed to handle the launch next month.