Woolworths has had a presence on the UK High Street for almost a century
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Eight branches of 99-year-old High Street chain Woolworths have closed across Devon and Cornwall.
Six branches shut in Devon, including: Honiton, Kingsbridge, Tavistock, Teignmouth, Tiverton and Torquay.
Penzance's and St Austell's branches in Cornwall also shut on Saturday as part of 200 closures across the UK because of the chain's �385m debts.
Local business bosses said the impact would be felt by the affected communities and employment markets.
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LATER CLOSURE DATES
- 30 DECEMBER
- DEVON: Paignton, Sidmouth
- CORNWALL: Falmouth, Liskeard, Newquay, St Ives
- 2 JANUARY
- DEVON: Barnstaple, Dartmouth, Dawlish, Exeter, Plymouth, Totnes
- CORNWALL: Helston
- 5 JANUARY
- DEVON: Bideford, Exmouth, Plymstock
- CORNWALL: Bodmin, Camborne, Truro
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The chairman of Penzance Chamber of Commerce, Mike Waters, said the town would feel the loss.
He said: "Basically, it's going to leave a big empty shop in the middle of the main shopping street.
"There are already other closures planned for the street, with signs up saying they are closing down."
Mr Waters added: "It's not going to be easy for those people who lose their jobs in Woolworths to get other jobs locally."
Barring any last-minute rescue, another 600 stores nationwide will follow suit by 5 January and 27,000 permanent and temporary staff will lose their jobs.
Eleven more branches in Devon and eight in Cornwall are still due to shut.
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