The wonder of Woolworths came to an end in Deal on Saturday when the store finally closed its doors for business.

Staff organised a photo call for the Mercury in the final hours of trading and about 30 employees will now be searching for new jobs.

In a statement they said: “All the staff at Woolies of Deal would like to say a huge thank-you to all our customers, many of whom have over the years become friends.

“They all gave us their support when it was needed the most and their kind words meant an awful lot.

“For the staff, some who have worked there for many years, the last day was a very sad one.

“To say goodbye when one person leaves is emotional but when we all left to go our separate ways it was a feeling we have rarely, if ever, experienced.”

The Woolworths store opened in Deal in the 1930s, and the height of its success the company was opening a town-centre shop every three days.

Deloitte, acting as administrators for the ailing company, could not find a buyer, so all the 807 stores across the country were due close by Monday.

A sale had been held in the run-up to the shop’s closure, and even the shelves and fittings were on offer to customers.