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Arndale Centre 1970s
A Memory of Wandsworth.
We used to visit my grandparents who lived in Wandsworth every Saturday between 1977 and 1981. I was aged 6 - 10 years old. We used to love the Arndale Centre, we would look around Woolworths and the indoor market which had a brilliant toy shop. We always had lunch at the same cafe situated in a walkway outside. I always had the same lunch sausage, chips and a cup of tea. There was another toy shop opposite where I spent a lot of time. I loved the orange chairs and decoration and the water fountain. I thought it was so space age and wonderful. One strange thing that happened one Saturday (being so young at the time I am not sure if I imagined this!) but Woolworths had an armed raid. As we walked out a man shouting “Get on the floor” but we were already out of the store and there were men with guns holding the store up. Does anyone remember that? I sort of remember it as my Nan had bad legs and I worried as she wouldn’t have been able to get down on the floor if we hadn’t left when we did! I have always wished I could go back in a time machine, just for an hour, to look round again. Lovely memories.
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Comments & Feedback
I don't recall hearing of any armed raid on woolworths. the nearest I came to such a thing was being terrified as a kid by daleks wandering around the Arndale one day as part of some Doctor Who exhibit. One came towards 5-year-old me from around a corner not far from Woolworths chanting "EXTERMINATE!" and I screamed the place down.
Sadly, it currently seems very difficult to find any information or photographs of the Wandsworth Arndale online. But if you do a google search for "sainsburys wandsworth arndale", they have some nice old photos taken on their opening day.