THE nation’s first “son of Woolworths” store is to move to premises less than half the size, just nine months after opening.

Alworths, which opened in Didcot in November 2009, is to downsize to a smaller store 100 yards away in the Orchard Centre, to make way for Curry’s.

Last week, the chain opened its tenth UK store, in Alloa, although Didcot remains the only one in Oxfordshire.

Managing director Andy Latham, above, a former Woolworths boss, said: “Our Didcot store was acquired on a short-term lease. It was great value to us at the time, however our landlords have now secured a long-term tenant.”

The current store will close on Sunday, August 8.