High street retail has faced serious headwinds lately—but few stories cut deeper than the ongoing WHSmith store closures across the UK. This storied brand, built over more than two centuries, is undergoing its most significant transformation yet. In this comprehensive guide, we unpack:
- The number and location of WHSmith store closures in the UK
- How the company is transitioning toward its travel retail business
- Impacts on WHSmith jobs, books, Post Office, and more
- WHSmith share price reactions and what investors are thinking
- Practical advice, from use of WHSmith discount code to where to find your nearest store
1. Why Are All These WHSmith Store Closures Happening?
In March 2025, WHSmith announced it would sell its entire 480‑strong high‑street estate to private equity firm Modella Capital in a £76 million deal. These stores are in towns, shopping centres, and retail parks—distinct from their thriving travel‑location outlets at airports, railway stations, and hospitals.
The deal closed on 30 June 2025, finalising the sale price at up to £40 million—£12 million less than originally negotiated—after a last‑minute price reduction due to falling sales and cautious market conditions.
High‑street WHSmith store closures UK are part of a strategic pivot. The company chose to double‑down on travel retail, which contributes 75–85% of its revenue and profits and operates nearly 600 units in UK travel locations.
2. Which WHSmith Stores Are Closing in 2025?
Here’s what we know so far:
- 17 confirmed closures scheduled for Q2–Q3 2025, including Halstead (Essex), Woolwich (London), Halesowen, Diss (Norfolk), Newport (Wales), Oldham, Stockton-on-Tees, Doncaster, Bedford, and more.
- Earlier closures occurred in Bournemouth, Luton, March (Cambridgeshire), Basingstoke, Newtown (Powys), Rhyl, Bolton, and Accrington
- A full interactive closures map lets locals check whether their branch will shut or rebrand.
These closures serve two purposes: clear financially strapped outlets and enable rebranding the remainder as TGJones under Modella Capital.
3. What About WHSmith Jobs?
Naturally, WHSmith jobs in affected high‑street stores are under threat—with about 5,000 employees directly impacted.
Modella Capital has said it aims to retain services like in‑store Post Office counters and books concessions, but wider reshuffling and headcount changes remain likely. The Communication Workers Union has flagged concerns over “postal deserts” if Post Office outlets disappear from town centres en.wikipedia.org+1thescottishsun.co.uk+1.
At the same time, WHSmith travel stores continue hiring across airports and stations, although those roles are outside this sale.
4. What Happens to WHSmith Books and the Post Office?
High‑street WHSmiths have long stocked books, stationery, newspapers, and hosted Post Office counters. Under new ownership, Modella says it plans to maintain those services in many locations news.com.au.
However, future stock decisions—like which WHSmith books to stock, relations with publishers, and literary events—are now in TGJones’ hands, leaving loyal readers hopeful this aspect of the brand survives intact.
5. How Are Investors Responding? Share Price & Market Reaction
The restructuring sent chills through the markets. On 30 June 2025, WHSmith’s stock dropped ~8% on the announcement of a lower sale price. It hovered around 1,090p–1,110p, down from a ~1,500p high in late 2024 .
Still, analysts note that the travel division’s stability could eventually offset short‑term volatility. The yield remains attractive—3% in dividends—and the P/E ratio is around 13–15× .
6. What About Post‑Sale Closures and Future Plans?
Modella’s acquisition comes with conditions. According to Sky News, the buyer cannot execute mass closures or launch a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) for at least 12 months post‑purchase.
This gives TGJones breathing room to stabilise and rebrand slowly, rather than pulling the shutters overnight.
That said, restructuring is expected—especially given Modella’s record with Hobbycraft and Original Factory Shop, which recently underwent CVAs and closures.
7. What This Means for Customers: Discounts & Transitioning Stores
WHSmith Discount Code & Bargains
With high‑street stores closing, many are hosting “everything‑must‑go” sales. Use your WHSmith discount code (if you have one) to slash prices before rebranding takes over.
Travel vs High‑Street
If you’re a frequent traveller, your local town centre might lose a store, but you’ll still have access to WHSmith at airports, train stations, hospitals, motorways, and more. These outlets remain part of the parent company and continue honoring loyalty schemes.
8. Internal Links & Other Resources
- For savvy shoppers, check our round‑up of curated discount code sites to stack savings on discount codes.
- Are you following shifts in high‑street retail trends? Read our post tracking all store closures in 2025: UK High Street Retail Closures 2025.
- Interested in investing? Learn more about FTSE 250 stocks in our guide: Investing in FTSE 250.
9. FAQs About WHSmith Store Closures
Q: How many stores are closing?
A: As of mid‑2025, 17 confirmed closures occur in 2025, plus many pending rebrands. In total, nearly 480–500 high‑street stores are being sold.
Q: Will my local branch close?
A: Use the closures map to check specific towns: Interactive WHSmith closure map.
Q: Are Post Offices staying?
A: Modella intends to maintain Post Office services in many stores, although long-term future remains uncertain ft.com.
Q: Will there still be WHSmith in airports?
A: Yes—travel‑location WHSmith stores remain fully under WHSmith plc, outside this sale.
10. Final Take: The End of an Era, or a New Beginning?
This is undoubtedly the biggest shake‑up in WHSmith’s 233‑year history. The classic image of your local newsagent carrying schoolbooks, magazines, snacks, and offering postal services is fading from high‑streets.
But it’s not necessarily the end: Modella seems willing to retain core services and the WHSmith discount code tradition, even under a new TGJones name. Meanwhile, the WHSmith brand is pivoting sharply toward travel retail, where it’s performing well.
For readers: plan a visit to your local store before closure, grab a last‑minute bargain or use your discount code. For investors: the share price dip might signal a shift rather than collapse—and may interest long‑term watchers. And for high‑street advocates: we’re witnessing a storied brand reshape itself for the 21st century.
