When Woolworths stores up and down the country closed ten years ago, a piece of high street history was lost.

But in Margate, a glimpse of one of Britain's most beloved retailers remains, with the original Woolworths signs still lodged on the building face.

The faded-red lettering is a faint reminder of the once busy shop, which was a staple store in the seaside town's High Street.

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Despite pulling down the shutters a decade ago, the shop remains empty and the external decor untouched.

With two mannequins standing in the window, the building bares merely a number of graffiti tags and a handful of posters.

Opening in 1925 at the junction of New Street, the site was purpose built to house a Woolworths, with two shops demolished to make way for it.

From pick'n'mix and biscuits to books and car accessories, there was very little customers couldn't buy in Woolworths, or Woolies as it was lovingly nicknamed.

But on January 6, 2009, the Woolworths empire completely collapsed, with stores nationally forced to close their doors in 2008 and thousands left out of work.

In September 2017, the site was bought by the owners of Sands Hotel for almost £2 million.

Directed by John Adams and Nick Conington, the derelict shop was purchased by Brede Estates Limited for an eye-watering amount of £1. 98 million on Wednesday, September 20, according to the Land registry website.

More than a year on, however, the shop still remains unused - with one shopper saying it is a "disgrace".

The man, who wishes not to be named, says the site could be put to use to benefit the community, rather than remain an eyesore in the street.

He said: "I can't understand how it is still empty after 10 years when there are homeless people who have to sleep in the doorway.

"They could have at least opened it up and let rough sleepers use it.

"It has sat there empty for a decade, it is awful and something should be done about."

Former customer Carol Pressley says Margate is a "town of two halves" with the lower end of the High Street resembling more of a ghost town, and the top end bustling with activity.

"Margate is definitely picking up though," she added.

"It's such a shame thought that big shops like this and Primark opposite have just been left empty like this.

"It would really help the high street if something was put into it.

"I used to shop there myself, and I do miss it a lot."