Up to 150 former WHSmith high street stores to close

Up to 150 of the 480 High Street stores formerly part of the WHSmith business will be closed in a restructuring plan launched by the owner of the chain.

The WHSmith High Street bookshops were purchased by Modella Capital last year, and the stores were then rebranded under the name TGJones.

Hundreds of jobs are at risk through the restructure, but Modella Capital told the BBC the plan was an "essential part" of the company's turnaround plan.

A Modella Capital spokesperson said the decision had "not been taken lightly" but blamed challenging retail conditions for the need to close stores.

"While we continue to believe in the strength of the core business, TGJones has experienced highly challenging trading conditions over the past year, along with many other brick-and-mortar retailers," the spokesperson said.

The private equity firm said the challenges were partly due to the "forced" name change, saying that it negatively impacted public awareness of the brand. It also blamed rising operating costs "as a direct result of government policy" and recent "geopolitical events".

"The restructuring plan is designed to protect the substantial core of the store estate and create a stronger, more sustainable business that can continue to serve customers for years to come," they said.

Modella Capital's spokesperson said the firm had made no decisions yet on how the closures would affect jobs, and it is aiming to preserve "as many jobs as possible".

"We want to be clear, however, that the plan may result in the closure of some stores and the loss of some roles," they said.

"We recognise the impact this uncertainty will have on colleagues, their families and the communities we serve."

WHSmith agreed the sale of its high street business in March 2025, with the aim of focusing solely on its shops in travel locations like airports and stations. The WHSmith brand was not part of the £40 million deal.

The TGJones restructure comes after another brand owned by Modella Capital ceased to operate in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Claire's stopped trading last month, closing all 154 standalone stores and making 1,300 staff redundant.

Modella Capital had purchased Claire's in September 2025 after the business fell into administration, but later placed the jewellery and accessories chain into administration itself after an "alarmingly" low Christmas trading period.

Modella Capital also owns Hobbycraft.