Remember those embarrassing tv ads for Woolwich Equitable Building Society? The cringeworthy cry, "We’re with the Woolwich"?

They’re about to pass into history after owner Barclays decided to end Woolwich’s 160 year presence on the high street.

Barclays made a complete dog’s breakfast of the announcement. It said that it was putting Woolwich at the heart of its UK retail revitalisation. This was a classic case of spin over substance, as the Guardian reported. The reality is the end of Woolwich as a high street brand. Some 200 branches will close, and the Woolwich branches will be rebranded as Barclays.

You’d have thought that Barclays would have learned from its Big Bank fiasco of 2000…