Wh Smith Leaves the High Street: A Bittersweet Goodbye
When a beloved retail giant like WH Smith steps off the High Street stage, it feels a little like watching your favorite sitcom’s main character move to a new town—heartbroken but inevitable.
Why It Matters (Literal & Metaphorical)
Keith Edelman, a veteran of 30 years in retail, leisure, property, and media, framed the announcement as “a very sad day” for the local economy, saying the move marks “another retail brand leaving the High Street.” The UK’s streets, once humming with tourists flipping through books and cigarettes, are about to feel that emptier space.
Edelman’s Take: Tax & The Digital Divide
He’s not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes: “The government really needs to wake up and change the tax landscape, so retailers running physical outlets are not propping up the tax take through rates while the online retailers get a free ride.” While online giants get a buy‑and‑forget kind of existence, bricks‑and‑mortars are stuck paying more for a closer look.
Key Details About the Transition
- Modella Capital, a Hobbycraft‑owned firm, will take over 480 WH Smith stores across retail parks and High Streets.
- There will be 5,000 staff left to navigate a new chapter.
- The new stores will be rebranded as TGJones, while WH Smith will keep its airport, railway, and hospital branches.
- All 195 Post Office counters inside the former WH Smith outlets will stay open.
- The “business as usual” promise includes keeping the Toys “R” Us concessions.
- Modella looks to freshen up the store lines by adding new ranges.
New Chapter for a 19th‑Century Brand
From the Victorian era to modern culture, WH Smith’s name has become synonymous with the UK High Street. Now the loss is felt—though the famous “Wh Smith” continues to thrive in airports, stations, and hospitals—serving travelers with a unique blend of essential convenience and nostalgia.
What’s Next?
Adopting the new brand TGJones, the change promises to keep the quad‑square atmosphere of local shopping alive while modernizing the retail experience. It’s a bittersweet transition that you’ll watch with fingers folded over a book—but maybe not inside a book this time.
