Past Times

GALLERY: 16 photos of Littlewoods in Aberdeen through the years

1966 - Vehicles parked outside the Union Street store.

By Kirstin Brown

September 18 2022, 6:00 am

September 18 2022, 6:00 am

Before closing in 2006, Littlewoods was a city centre staple in Aberdeen.

The department store chain had an Aberdeen branch at the heart of the city- which was later bought by Primark. The Union Street store also had a restaurant, adapted from the former Trinity Hall.

In the company’s prime, there were 163 Littlewoods stores across the UK. Littlewoods is now among the Aberdeen shops of the past.

Do you remember Littlewoods in Aberdeen? Do you recognise any of the familiar faces in these photos? Please let us know in the comments.

A child in a Littlewoods window display full of televisions and computers. — 1984 – Five-year-old Hanover Street School pupil Robin Sharp gazing at technology of the future in a window display.

A half-built extension to the Littlewoods store in Aberdeen — 1977 – A view from Atholl House of the progress being made on the Littlewoods store’s new extension.

A shop assistant showing three family members a computer in the store. — 1986 – A store assistant introduces Laura Campbell, 4, mum Margaret, right, and aunt Maureen Mackenzie to computer Lisa (Littlewoods Instore Shopping Adviser).

Customers browsing plants in the horticultural department in Littlewoods — 1986 – Some of the displays in the store’s horticultural department.

The fashion department in the Union Street branch — 1985 – Part of the refurbished men and women’s fashion section in the Littlewoods Union Street store.

The former Trinity Hall in Aberdeen — 1981 – The former Trinity Hall in Union Street was adapted by Littlewoods for use as a restaurant.

Littlewoods staff donating cheques from a sponsored walk to a leukaemia fund. — 1987 – A staff sponsored walk saw a leukaemia fund and cancer research receive £300 cheques.

Customers browsing the fashion department in the Union Street branch. — 1988 – Shoppers browsing the goods on display on the ground floor of the Union Street store.

The exterior of Littlewoods on Union Street — 1964 – How the Union Street facade of the Aberdeen store looked back in September 1964.

A group of staff members huddled around a portable television, with a man in a white coat holding up a cheque — 1974 – Food manager George Robb with the £100 cheque he accepted on behalf of the staff, and store manager Gerald Taylor, left, with the portable television set he received after the store won a sales competition organised by Jaffa oranges.

Five staff members sat at a table with a chess board and checkers board. A teddy with a "win me" sign is also on the table. — 1980 – Stockroom workers, from left, Alistair Arthur, Kenneth Gooding, David Murray and David Musgrave, with marker Moira Yeoman, staged a sponsored board games marathon in aid of Aberdeen Children’s Shelter.

People eating and drinking in the Littlewoods restaurant — 1984 – The store’s restaurant was always a popular stop for customers over the years.

Butcher staff at Littlewoods preparing meat. — 1985 – Butchery manager James Havlin, centre, at work with Phil Runcie, right, and Steve Rae.

A staff member examining the new lighting displays. — 1981 – Final checks being made for the opening of the store’s new lighting department.

Female staff members, dressed up for a fashion show, smiling and posing for the camera — 1986 – Littlewoods store staff realise their dreams to become models at a fashion show at Peaches in the Royal Hotel.

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