GETTY Dortmund's Christmas tree/A Woolworth store in the city/Muslim migrants bound for Dortmund

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The former high street favourite went bust seven years ago in the UK but still operates 300 stores across Germany. And a row has broken out after staff at a branch in Dortmund decided not to bother with Christmas decorations, gifts or music this year because it is now essentially a Muslim store. Shocked locals found out after the Christmas section, which featured decorations, gifts and and festive treats such as chocolate Father Christmases, was removed after just a few days on display.

CEN/WOOLWORTH The Woolworths store in North Dortmund which is at the centre of a Christmas is cancelled row

We are a Muslim business now. We do not want to sell Christmas articles Woolworths staff member

And a staff member reportedly told baffled shoppers: "We are a Muslim business now. We do not want to sell Christmas articles." Branch manager Seda Capakcur, 25, confirmed Christmas products had been withdrawn from sale. She said: "The Christmas articles are hardly in demand here. Already last year, everything remained unsold." Bosses have denied the store is a Muslim business and that Christmas is being ignored as company policy.

GETTY Revellers enjoy the festive spirit at Dortmund's hugely popular Christmas Market

Spokeswoman Diana Preisert said: "Woolworth is, of course, not a Muslim company. Christmas merchandise is available from September onwards and should be sold out by the end of December. “In this branch, however, demand was too low. Therefore the goods were distributed to other branches." Ms Preisert said there were hardly any customers who celebrated Christmas as the shop was in a now mainly Islamic area which had created specific "local conditions”.

CEN/WOOLWORTH Bosses at Woolworth in Gemany denied it was now a Muslim company

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