A hoax Twitter account claiming Woolworths was set to make a comeback has been denounced by the brand's owner. 

The Very Group - who owns the Woolworths UK trademark - has said the account, which claimed three new stores would be opening next year, is not associated with them.

When pressed by The Gazette about whether Woolworths would be making a return to the UK's high street, Very's press officer said they couldn't answer the question but did not deny it.

In a statement to this newspaper, the spokesman said: “We own the Woolworths trademark in the UK. The Twitter account UKWoolworths is not connected to The Very Group.”

The chain, which was loved for it Pick ‘n’ Mix, shut its doors in Festival Place for the final time in January 2009.

A tearful farewell marked the end of Woolies which was part of Basingstoke for more than 80 years.

When The Gazette asked who was running the Twitter account, the spokesman for Very said they didn't know or couldn't answer. 

It is unclear whether the Twitter account might be being run by an employee or a third-party mischief maker. 

The account sent social media into meltdown after claiming it was "here to save 2020" as they announced Woolworths would allegedly be returning to Britain's high streets with three trial stores. 

They alleged the stores would be returning by the end of 2021. 

The claims have created a buzz on social media with twitter users reminiscing about everything the stores had to offer from Pick ‘n’ Mix to Christmas catalogues.

The original Woolworths in Basingstoke opened in 1921 in London Street. During its heyday, it moved in 1971 to Chiswick House, then it relocated to Festival Place, where it occupied most of the building.

However, in 1993, the firm halved its shopfloor and other businesses opened in the remaining space.

The Twitter claims have not yet been verified, more to follow.