A YEAR since the iconic Woolworths chain fell into administration, Lynn's store - the flagship shop of the Vancouver Quarter - still remains empty.
Talking about the large empty premises, leader of West Norfolk Council, Nick Daubney, told the Lynn News: "I would think it would be a good thing that the space is filled and I hope it will be in the future.
"It is a big space and I know that major stores must be obviously nervous under current trading conditions, but Lynn has proved itself to be a vibrant centre so I hope that is a big attraction for other businesses."
Woolworths opened on New Conduit Street in March 2006, offering 45 full and part-time jobs but it shut, along with the Fakenham, Swaffham and Hunstanton branches, two months after the company went into administration in November 2008.
The Lynn News made several attempts to contact Vancouver Quarter manager Brad Curcillo but he was unavailable to comment.
In Hunstanton 15 jobs were lost, 21 jobs went in Fakenham and the Swaffham closure made 24 staff redundant.
The company, which had been struggling with debts of £385m, was taken over by administrators Deloitte.
The Warehouse Clearance Shop moved into the Fakenham site, on the Market Place, in May last year on a rolling license, creating about five jobs.
Will Bowers, a representative of Wildmoor Property, the site landlord, said: "It is very successful. It will be there certainly for the near future."
The old Swaffham Woolworths premises, also on the Market Place, was taken over by frozen food chain Iceland in January last year, which has proved to be a success. In total 23 positions were created from this move.
Dennis Tallon, manager of Swaffham community group the Iceni Partnership, confirmed: "Apparently it is doing extremely well. It's also brought in trade to other shops in the town. It is very positive."
Despite Hunstanton's Warehouse Clearance Shop - which replaced the Woolworths in January last year - shutting, the Lynn News has learned that the clothes shop M&Co, previously known as Mackays, will possibly be moving onto the site. However, the legal process has not been completed.
Paul Beal, chairman of Hunstanton Chamber of Trade, said: "It is super. If they are coming, a multinational business could pave the way for somebody else. It could be the start of something big."
Hunstanton Town Mayor, Cllr Christine Earnshaw, added: "It could be a real bonus. I think it is the ideal shop for the High Street."
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