In another major blow to the high street, British retailer WHSmith has slashed its number of stores across the country in 2025 - with more to come. The closures, which mainly took place between January and May across England, Wales and the Midlands, come as part of a wider £76 million deal to sell the company's entire high street division - around 480 stores nationwide - to investment firm Modella Capital.
Under the agreement, those outlets will be rebranded as TGJones, while WHSmith focuses on its more profitable travel retail arm, which operates in airports, train stations, and hospitals. A company spokesperson told Retail Gazette in January that the decision was made "after careful consideration" and that WHSmith "continues to invest in its travel business where growth opportunities are strongest." Among the branches already shut are stores in Bournemouth, Luton, Bolton, Newport and Oldham. A total of 19 store closures are expected by the end of the year, with Orpington in Greater London Nugent Retail Park yet to confirm a date for closure. The retailer said it had tried to redeploy workers "where possible," though some job losses were expected.
The closures have also raised concerns for communities where WHSmith hosts Post Office branches. The Communication Workers Union warned in January that the handover to Modella Capital could create "postal deserts" if services are disrupted or withdrawn, The Independent reported.
One of the UK's oldest and most recognisable retailers, WHSmith was founded in 1792 by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna as a small news vendor in Little Grosvenor Street, London. Their son, William Henry Smith, took over in the 1820s and rapidly expanded, becoming known for its organised distribution of newspapers and periodicals.
A major turning point came in 1848, when WHSmith opened its first railway bookstall at Euston Station. By the 1860s, WHSmith operated hundreds of railway bookstalls across Britain, cementing its role as the country's go-to newsagent. Throughout the 20th century, WHSmith evolved into a full-fledged high street retailer, also selling stationery, maps, and office supplies. By the 2010s, WHSmith's travel division was outperforming its high street arm, generating the majority of profits. Despite an impressive rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic, high street sales continued to decline due to online competition, lower footfall and rising rents.
The 233-year-old company now positions itself primarily as a global travel retailer, operating in airports, train stations, and other high-footfall travel hubs.
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