High street retailer TG Jones has announced it is shutting more than a dozen shops this October as part of ongoing restructuring plans, which will see 150 stores close in total. The stationery and bookshop chain, formerly known as WH Smith, is closing 22 shops across the UK this month as part of plans to prevent the retail chain from falling into administration.
Restructuring plan details
Owner Modella will close a third of the chain’s 450 shops under its restructuring plans. The first 19 closed last month, while another 22 have been confirmed for this month. The shops affected have all launched closing-down sales for customers, while the TG Jones website offers online discounts on books, stationery and LEGO sets.
List of closures this month
Of the 22 shops due to close in October, two – the TG Jones located in Bishop’s Stortford and Bury St Edmunds – have already shut. The others marked for closure in the coming weeks include:
- Bishop’s Stortford South Street, Hertfordshire: October 3
- Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk: October 3
- Inverness High Street, Scotland: October 6
- Belle Vue Terrace, Malvern, Worcestershire: October 6
- Pydar Street, Truro, Cornwall: October 6
- Maldon High Street, Essex: October 9
- Market Place, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire: October 10
- The Broadway, Bradford, Yorkshire: October 11
- Wickford High Street, Essex: October 12
- Bridgnorth High Street, Shropshire: October 13
- Hythe High Street, Kent: October 13
- Bridge Street, Pinner, London: October 14
- Coney Street, York: October 14
- Rickmansworth High Street, Hertfordshire: October 17
- Marlborough High Street, Wiltshire: October 17
- West Wickham High Street, London: October 19
- High Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire: October 20
- Moor Street, Ormskirk, Lancashire: October 21
- Orpington High Street, London: October 28
- Victoria Square, Droitwich, Worcestershire: October 31
- Billericay High Street, Essex: Unconfirmed October date
- Derby Street, Leek, Staffordshire: Unconfirmed October date
Background and September closures
Last year, WH Smith was purchased by private equity firm Modella Capital, which owns Hobbycraft and previously owned Claire’s Accessories before its collapse. Following the purchase, Modella notably chose to rebrand all WH Smith shops, excluding those in airports and at train stations, into TG Jones. When sales fell, Modella warned it could face insolvency if its now-approved restructuring plan, which involves closing stores, writing off debt, and cutting rent for landlords, was not approved.
A total of 19 shops closed their doors in September, including Bath, Redcar, Redhill, Market Harborough, Uckfield, Cambridge, Swindon, Helston, Deal, Basildon, Rustington, Clevedon, Greenford, Kenilworth, Southend-on-Sea, Exmouth, Frome, Cardigan, and Wells.
It’s been a turbulent time for high street shoppers as more and more retailers, banks, restaurants and pubs announce closures. September alone saw Premier Inn owner Whitbread close around 200 of its popular restaurants and pubs, including Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, as well as Table Table, Cookhouse + Pub, and Bar + Block. Meanwhile, corner shop chain Foreways closed all five of its locations in Carlisle, Cumbria, and Morrisons is closed 100 of its Daily convenience store branches. Luxury accessories brand Radley also shut all of its branches, alongside Quiz Clothing, and Betfred warned that it may have to close over 100 betting shops.
