The Woolworths at Forest Lake may look like any other supermarket, but its daily operations—8 am to 9 pm on weekdays—mask a deeper story linking the original five-cent counters in New York to Australia’s modern dark-store network. This guide covers the store’s exact hours, its place in Woolworths’ global history, and how it stacks up against Aldi and Coles in the same precinct.

4 related posts

Store Address: 235 Forest Lake Bvd, Forest Lake QLD 4078 · Phone: +61 7 3012 3392 · Monday–Friday: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm · Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm · Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm · Quiet Hour: Monday–Thursday 10:30 am

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 1909 – UK Woolworths founded (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 1924 – Woolworths Australia founded (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 2008 – UK Woolworths enters administration (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 2009 – All UK Woolworths stores close (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 2024 – Woolworths Forest Lake operating under current hours (Woolworths Official Store Locator)
4What’s next

Six key details about the Forest Lake store, pulled from the official Woolworths directory and the shopping centre’s own listing:

Fact Detail
Store Location 235 Forest Lake Bvd, Forest Lake QLD 4078
Phone Number +61 7 3012 3392
Monday–Friday Hours 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday Hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday Hours 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Quiet Hour Monday–Thursday 10:30 am

Are there any Woolworths left in the UK?

The Woolworths brand that once dotted British high streets disappeared completely in 2009 after the company went into administration in 2008. All UK stores closed, and the name has not returned. The Irish branch had already shut down in 1984. Woolworths Australia, however, is an entirely separate company—the Woolworths Group Limited—that operates more than 1,000 stores across the country. It is not connected to Marks & Spencer or the defunct UK chain. (Wikipedia encyclopedia)

Why did Woolworths leave Ireland?

Woolworths Ireland closed its doors in 1984, part of a broader withdrawal from international markets by the US-based parent at the time. The Irish stores were not profitable enough to sustain. (Wikipedia encyclopedia)

When did Woolworths go out of business?

The UK chain entered administration on November 26, 2008, and all 807 stores were closed by early 2009. The US division had already shuttered its last remaining department stores in 1997. (Wikipedia encyclopedia)

The implication: the Woolworths name lives on only in Australia, where it has no ownership ties to the defunct UK or US chains. Shoppers at Forest Lake are buying from a healthy Australian retailer, not a relic of the past.

Bottom line: Woolworths Australia stands independent of the UK and US chains that folded, so Forest Lake shoppers are dealing with a fully operational national supermarket.

What are Woolworths dark stores?

Dark stores are fulfilment centres designed exclusively for online grocery orders—no walk-in customers, no shelves to browse. Woolworths operates several dark stores across Australia to handle the rapid growth of e-commerce. The company has been secretive about the exact number and locations of these facilities. (MyBroadband tech news site)

The trade-off

Dark stores let Woolworths pack orders faster and more efficiently, but they also shift investment away from traditional storefronts like Forest Lake—a balance that will define the retailer’s next decade.

Is Woolworths owned by M&S?

No. Woolworths Group Limited is a publicly traded Australian company with no ownership connection to Marks & Spencer. The two retailers share only a common historical name; M&S is a British retailer focused on clothing and food, while Woolworths Australia is the country’s largest supermarket chain. (Wikipedia encyclopedia)

Is Woolworths better than Aldi?

The answer depends on what you prioritise. Woolworths offers a much wider product range and a strong fresh-food section, while Aldi competes on everyday low prices with a streamlined selection. Both chains have loyal followings, and at Forest Lake you can visit either—they sit in the same shopping precinct.

How does Woolworths compare to Aldi on price and range?

Four dimensions that highlight the trade-off between the two supermarkets most often debated by shoppers:

Feature Woolworths Aldi
Everyday prices Moderate; promotions via Weekly Catalogue (Woolworths supermarket site) Low; private-label focus (Wikipedia encyclopedia – Aldi)
Product range Broad – 20,000+ items (Woolworths supermarket site) Limited – ~1,500 core lines (Wikipedia encyclopedia – Aldi)
Fresh food Extensive deli, bakery, butcher (Woolworths supermarket site) Smaller selection, pre-packed (Wikipedia encyclopedia – Aldi)
Loyalty program Everyday Rewards (Woolworths supermarket site) None (Wikipedia encyclopedia – Aldi)

The implication: Woolworths Forest Lake is the place for a full weekly shop with variety; Aldi is the choice for a quick, budget-friendly basket. Neither is “better” in absolute terms—it’s a situational decision.

What are the opening hours of Woolworths Forest Lake?

The store at 235 Forest Lake Boulevard is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. It also runs a Quiet Hour on Monday through Thursday at 10:30 am for customers with sensory sensitivities. (Woolworths Official Store Locator)

What is the phone number for Woolworths Forest Lake?

The direct line is +61 7 3012 3392. (Woolworths Official Store Locator)

What is the current catalogue for Woolworths Forest Lake?

Weekly catalogues are available online at woolworths.com.au/catalogue or in-store. Specials change every Wednesday. (Woolworths supermarket site)

Is there an ALDI or Coles at Forest Lake?

Yes. Both Aldi Forest Lake and Coles Forest Lake operate within the same shopping centre precinct, giving residents a choice of three major supermarkets. (Forest Lakes Shopping Centre Directory)

Upsides

  • Wide product range makes it a one-stop shop for weekly groceries.
  • Fresh food counters (deli, bakery, butcher) add convenience.
  • Everyday Rewards points can be converted into Qantas Frequent Flyer miles.
  • Quiet Hour caters to customers with autism or sensory needs.

Downsides

  • Higher everyday prices compared to Aldi for comparable basics.
  • Checkout queues can be long during peak times (late afternoons).
  • Parking at Forest Lake Shopping Centre can be tight on weekends.
  • No in-store café or seating area.

Timeline: Woolworths through the decades

  • 1909 – UK Woolworths founded as part of the F.W. Woolworth Company (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 1924 – Woolworths Australia established, opening its first store in Sydney (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 1984 – Woolworths Ireland branches close (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 2008 – UK Woolworths enters administration (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 2009 – All UK Woolworths stores close permanently (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • 2024 – Woolworths Forest Lake continues serving the community under current hours (Woolworths Official Store Locator)

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Forest Lake store address and hours verified by Woolworths official locator (Woolworths Official Store Locator)
  • UK Woolworths closed in 2009 (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • Woolworths Australia is not owned by M&S (Wikipedia encyclopedia)
  • Dark stores are fulfilment centres for online orders (MyBroadband tech news site)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of dark stores Woolworths currently operates (MyBroadband tech news site)
  • Date of the biggest Woolworths store opening in Australia (Consumer Grouch retail history blog)
  • Whether Woolworths Forest Lake will introduce extended hours or self-checkout-only lanes (no current announcement)

Perspectives from the sources

“The store is located at 235 Forest Lake Bvd, Forest Lake QLD 4078, operating 8am–9pm weekdays, 8am–5pm Saturday, 11am–5pm Sunday.”

— Woolworths Official Store Locator

“Woolworths is one of the anchor tenants at Forest Lakes Shopping Centre, offering a full range of groceries and a Quiet Hour for customers with sensory sensitivities.”

— Forest Lakes Shopping Centre Directory

“Woolworths has been secretive about its dark store network, making it difficult to confirm the exact number of fulfilment centres it operates.”

— MyBroadband tech news site

For shoppers in Forest Lake, the choice between Woolworths, Aldi, and Coles comes down to what matters more: the wider range and fresh food of Woolworths, or the lower prices of Aldi. The Woolworths store at Forest Lake remains a reliable anchor, but its future may be shaped by the shift to dark stores and online fulfilment. For local residents, the smart move is to check the weekly catalogue before heading out—and to treat Woolworths as the full-service option, not the cheapest one.

Related reading: **Woolworths Forest Lake store** · **Forest Lakes Shopping Centre**

Additional sources

youtube.com, forestlakeshoppingcentre.qicre.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does Woolworths Forest Lake have a deli counter?

Yes, like most Woolworths supermarkets, the Forest Lake store includes a deli with meats, cheeses, and ready-to-eat options. (Woolworths supermarket site)

Can I use Click and Collect at Woolworths Forest Lake?

Yes, Click and Collect is available. You place your order online and pick it up at a designated bay near the store entrance. (Woolworths supermarket site)

Is there a petrol station at Woolworths Forest Lake?

No, the Forest Lake store does not have an attached petrol station. The nearest Caltex is about 1 km away on Forest Lake Bvd. (Forest Lakes Shopping Centre Directory)

What is the quiet hour at Woolworths Forest Lake?

Quiet Hour runs Monday to Thursday at 10:30 am, with dimmed lighting, reduced scan noise, and a quieter environment for customers with autism or sensory needs. (Woolworths Official Store Locator)

Does Woolworths Forest Lake offer online ordering?

Yes, you can order via the Woolworths website or app for home delivery or Click and Collect. (Woolworths supermarket site)

How do I get to Woolworths Forest Lake by public transport?

Bus route 120 stops at the Forest Lake Shopping Centre, and the store is a short walk from the bus stop. The nearest train station is Richlands, about 5 km away. (Forest Lakes Shopping Centre Directory)

Are there ATMs inside Woolworths Forest Lake?

Yes, there are ATMs from several banks near the store entrance inside the shopping centre. (Forest Lakes Shopping Centre Directory)