TG Jones, the stationery chain formerly known as WHSmith, will close its St Andrews branch on January 9, 2027, according to a shopper on the Real St Andrews Facebook page. The closure is part of a wider restructuring that has already shuttered several Scottish outlets.
Restructuring and closure plans
TG Jones began after investment firm Modella Capital bought WHSmith in July 2025, acquiring all 480 stores and rebranding them under the new 'family' name. However, 150 of these stores are set to close following court-approved rescue plans announced in July.
The St Andrews branch, located at 90-92 South Street, is the latest to be earmarked for closure. The move means the local area could also lose its only Post Office branch, which operates inside the premises.
Post Office impact
A Post Office spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Record that its branch will "regrettably" close, although the official date has not been confirmed and may differ from the TG Jones closure date. The postal firm is seeking alternative premises and has received expressions of interest from fellow retailers, though a replacement could take up to six months.
The spokesperson said: "We fully recognise the challenging trading conditions that TG Jones and many other High Street retailers are facing at the moment. TG Jones had its Restructuring Plan approved by the High Court on 1 July. Consequently, TG Jones is to close its St Andrews store. Regrettably, St Andrews Post Office is due to close in early 2027. The date is being finalised. The vacancy has already been advertised, and we have heard from interested retailers. We are now looking more closely at the expressions of interest. We want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible, but this can take around six months. In the interim alternative branches will be in Ceres and Tayport."
Local residents have criticised the closure, with one calling it "ludicrous" that St Andrews would be left without a Post Office, particularly in an area that attracts many visitors and students.
Other Scottish closures
The Galashiels branch, located at 29-33 Channel Street, will also close on January 9, 2027. At the time, a spokesperson confirmed it was working "to secure the long-term future" of the brand, thanking staff "for their commitment and the contribution they have made to TG Jones."
The Inverness branch launched a closing down sale before permanently closing on October 6. An outlet in Ayr has also closed this year, and the TG Jones in Stirling's Thistles centre has shut, though its Post Office branch has reopened following a major refurbishment.
The Daily Record has approached TG Jones for a further statement.
