The UK high street faces another difficult month in September as more than 200 locations shut their doors, with dates now confirmed for closures across the retail and hospitality sectors.
Stationery chain TG Jones, which replaced WH Smith in many locations, will close 19 branches during the month. Meanwhile, Beefeater is shutting all 106 of its restaurants, and Brewers Fayre is closing 89 pubs.
TG Jones store closures
TG Jones is closing 19 stores throughout September, with clearance sales already launched in-store offering shoppers up to 30% off.
The first closure takes place in Bath on Tuesday, September 1, followed by Redcar and Redhill on September 5. Market Harborough and Uckfield close the following week on September 12.
Cambridge, Deal, Swindon, Helston and Basildon will see their stores close in the middle of the month. Rustington closes on September 23, while Clevedon, Greenford, Kenilworth and Southend-on-Sea shut on September 26. Exmouth closes on September 28, Frome on September 30, and Cardigan and Wells have yet to announce dates.
Last year, many WH Smith stores rebranded as TG Jones. On July 1, a company-wide restructure was announced, with around 150 stores at risk of closure.
Beefeater and Brewers Fayre closures
All 106 Beefeater restaurants are set to close on Thursday, September 10, with 89 Brewers Fayre pubs shutting on Monday, September 7.
The closures follow an announcement in April by Whitbread, which also owns Premier Inn, that both restaurant brands would close. Around 30,000 staff currently work at the restaurants.
Dominic Paul, Whitbread's chief executive, said at the time: "We plan to convert all our remaining branded restaurants to an integrated food and beverage offer that is preferred by our hotel guests and will unlock the addition of more highly profitable extension rooms."
He added: "Our continued efforts to drive our commercial plan and efficiencies will extend our market-leading position and allow us to take share from our competitors, many of which are struggling to grow."
