R2OK!

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

(I've searched in vain for the threads we had about the opening of the Wellworths store, by the former Woolworths manageress and staff, 18 months ago).

The owners of the Woolworth brand now (the Barclay Brothers' Shop Direct) are objecting to its use in any expansion.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/8480761.Wellworths_forced_to_become_Wellchester/
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Ron

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:51 am Post subject:

Those Brothers are very sensitive, nasty, pieces of work. And very litigious, so I take back everything I've just said!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19291 Location: Cheshire

I wonder what they make of Woolworths in South Africa which is Marks and Spencer over there?

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Clive55 · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1336

I can't understand their objection. The name is different enough to Woolworths & in any case "Woolworth" stores don't exist anymore, so what's the problem?
I presume they could have no case against the Woolworth's in south Africa & the USA as these have existed for years when the Woolworths brand did exist in the UK.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19291 Location: Cheshire

The South African Woolworths was originally owned by a Mr Woolworth and I was surprised to see the name after we first visited there in the 90s. My late Father in law, who grew up in SA, said there had been some problems when he had first opened. That was many, many years ago now so obviously there had been agreement.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

As I recall, Wellworth was the name used by Woolworth for some stores in Northern Ireland, and both names were presumably bought by the Barclays from the administrator.

They were happy enough to let the name be used for the one store in Dorchester, but it appears as though there are plans afoot to open more, and they are not happy about the name being used for a chain. Even so, it's hardly going to threaten their business.

It's good to hear that the venture is a success.
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Ron

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

It's been trading under the name wellworths. I have been in the shop and has some brands under the name wellworths. I suppose it won't make any difference what so ever. It was really busy, but personally between me and you it sells alot of junk.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19291 Location: Cheshire

Didn't Woolworths do that as well though Mark?

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ColinB · Guest

The important thing is that the Barclay Bros own the Trade Mark that is "Woolworths" and if a competitor is using a name that is the same or similar then they're within their rights to contest it as a means of protecting their own brand.

We had a taxi firm near me which had been trading for years and years as "EasyCabs" but the Easy Group (airline and all that) decided to challenge their use of "Easy" in their trading name - and they won. If the cab company had registered its trademark it would have been a much more difficult fight.

That's the way the cookie crumbles in the big wide world of business. You have to protect your brand.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

They did threaten the Alworths business, which took 14 of the Woolworth stores, over the name, but backed down in the end.
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Ron

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Woolworths is still a business on the net and the name is still registered with them, but i doubt this will stop customers going to their shop if they change the name.