THE SAVIOUR of a Dorchester store is starting up a new venture to help other aspiring retailers.

Claire Robertson, who attracted national headlines when she led the re-opening of the collapsed Woolworths store under the independent banner Wellworths three years ago, is moving on and setting up her own company.

Former Woolworths Saturday girl Claire was hailed as a high-street heroine for reviving the South Street store, which was later re-named Wellchester.

She wished the shop every success in the future as she set out on her new adventure, running her consultancy business RRP-UK, standing for Realising Retail Potential.

Claire said: “It’s a wrench leaving because obviously I helped set the place up but now I’ve got this idea I just really am passionate about doing it and looking forward to it.”

Claire hopes to use her own experiences to offer people getting into retail and business advice on setting up in the difficult economic climate currently facing the nation.

She said: “I think I was ready to do something new and although I’m passionate about Well-worths and Wellchester, one thing I’ve always enjoyed is helping others and it’s just something I thought would be a good time for me to move on.”

Claire said she is confident thsat Wellchester will continue to be a success without her.

She said: “Although I was instrumental in setting up Wellworths and I was the manager, taking it through the name change and implementing an e-commerce website, I did not have the lease and I wasn’t actually a stakeholder.

“I’ve decided it is time to realise a long-time ambition to actually run my own business.”

Claire said she had been touched by the level of support for her.

Contact Claire on 07989 142045 or email claire@rrp-uk.com