WH Smith will officially disappear from UK high streets after £76 million sale

The past couple of months have been a tumultuous time for WH Smith. After announcing a string of store closures, then revealing all 500 of the brand’s high-street shops could be sold (potentially to HMV), now the retailer has struck a deal to sell all its high-street outlets. 

Earlier this month it was revealed that WH Smith had put its 480 high street stores up for sale and was considering deals that would not include the brand. In other words, after 233 years of service the iconic stationery and books retailer’s name would disappear from Britain’s high streets – and today (March 28) that’s been confirmed. WH Smith’s high street outposts have been sold for a whopping £76 million, and they’ll all change name. 

Before any WH Smith-fan readers start worrying about the complete disappearance of the chain – worry not. Smiths is only offloading its high street branches, and instead intends to focus on its outlets in airports and train stations. Around 1,300 travel stores will remain with WH Smith branding, and the retailer will still have an online presence. 

Who has brought WH Smith’s high street shops?

The 480 shops are being bought by Modella Capital, which is the owner of chains Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop. 

What brand is replacing WH Smith?

Modella will rebrand the shops as TGJones, and says they will ‘keep all the same products and services, including the Post Office and Toys R Us’. 

The name TGJones was apparently chosen due to its ‘family’ feel. A Modella spokesperson said: ‘TGJones feels like a worthy successor to the WH Smith brand

‘Jones carries the same sense of family and reflects these stores being at the heart of everyone’s high street.’

When will WH Smith disappear from UK high streets?

It hasn’t yet been confirmed when WH Smith branding will disappear from the brand’s 480 high street stores. The name will apparently disappear after a ‘short transitional period’. 

RECOMMENDED: Full list of UK high street closures confirmed in 2025, from Homebase to New Look. 

Which WH Smiths stores are definitely closing? 

Here are all the WH Smiths that have been confirmed as closing.

• Bournemouth Old Christchurch Road, Dorset (closed January 18)
• Luton, Bedfordshire (closed January 18)
• March, Cambridgeshire (closed January 25)
• Basingstoke, Hampshire (closed February 1)
• Newtown, Powys (closed February 15)
• Winton branch in Bournemouth, Dorset (closed February 15)
• Rhyl, Denbighshire (closed February 15)
• Accrington, Lancashire (closed March 15)
• Halstead, Essex (April)
• Halesowen, West Midlands (April)
• Diss, Norfolk (April)
• Newport, Isle of Wight (April)
• Haverhill, Suffolk (April 26)
• Stockton, County Durham (May)
• Oldham, Greater Manchester (May)
• Orpington, Greater London (no specified date)

How many high street stores does WH Smith have? 

The retailer has 480 UK high street stores, employing approximately 5,000 people.

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