After months of standing empty and desolate, the former Woolworths store in Warminster is once again brimming with life, as hordes of people attended during the opening week of the new ‘family favourite’ store.

Several ex-Woolworths staff have been re-employed, alongside former manager Adam Hibberd, to be part of the new venture which has seen Warminster’s High Street picked as one of the five sites for the new Alworths retailer across the country.

Hayden Symes, nine, from Warminster, won the Wiltshire Times’ competition for a year’s supply of pick ‘n’ mix and to officially open the store last Friday after writing in to say why he thinks he should have the privilege.

He said: “I said I would like to open it because it would be a fabulous birthday present. It’s my birthday tomorrow (Saturday).

“I love all of the people who worked here; they were so nice to me, and it is a really fabulous shop. It looks better than ever.”

Former branch manager Adam Hibberd, who worked at the Warminster store from August 2006 until September 2007, was thrilled to be back after he was made redundant from his Tiverton-based post when Woolworths went into administration last November.

“It just feels like home, it feels like I’ve never left,” he said.

“In quick succession I lost my job, my career, my friends – who are like my family – and now it feels like I am home. It’s great to be back. I’m buzzing.

“The range and the quality are so much better. It’s something that Warminster needs.”

Alworths stocks a mix of toys, pic ‘n’ mix, homeware, stationery, seasonal and garden products.

It is a new chain of shops created by Andy Latham, former head of store and concessions development at Woolworths, along with a team of 15 former Woolworths colleagues.

Mr Latham said: “I feel really proud. I think the site looks absolutely fantastic. Five weeks ago it was looking very sad and really run down but the team has done a fabulous job. I hope it will be as busy as this all the time.”

The first three stores have already opened in Didcot, Amersham and Evesham, with another opening in Wokingham this week.

Plans are in place to open 22 Alworths stores in total, predominantly in market towns across the UK, over the next year.