<\/p>\n
\n TG Jones, formerly known as WH Smith, has been forced to shut stores under a High Court-approved plan to avoid insolvency, affecting locations across the country.\n<\/p>\n
\n The closures are part of a wider strategy that could see around 150 stores close, following ongoing financial struggles and a restructuring scheme backed by the High Court in July.\n<\/p>\n
TG Jones shuts 19 sites as part of plans for 150 closures<\/p>\n
\n As of the end of September, 19 stores had closed or were due to.\n<\/p>\n
\n More closures are expected to follow throughout October.\n<\/p>\n
\n The list of September closures includes sites in Cambridge, Swindon, Southend, and Bath, as well as locations in Redcar, Market Harborough, Uckfield, Helston, Deal, and Exmouth.\n<\/p>\n
\n Other branches that shut last month include Redhill, Basildon, Rustington, Clevedon, Greenford, Kenilworth, and Frome.\n<\/p>\n
\n The chain, which operates around 450 stores and employs approximately 4,700 staff, was rebranded as TG Jones last year after being sold to Modella.\n<\/p>\n
\n WH Smith has retained its travel stores in airports and train stations.\n<\/p>\n
\n TG Jones has not confirmed how many jobs will be lost as a result of the planned 150 closures, but has acknowledged that the plans put roles at risk.\n<\/p>\n
\n Closing-down sales have begun in several TG Jones shops across the UK, with customers also able to access discounts online.\n<\/p>\n
\n The TG Jones website is giving customers the chance to buy items for as little as \u00a31, with everything from gift bags to books and toys included in the closing-down sale.\n<\/p>\n
\n TG Jones, formerly WHSmith, is continuing to close UK sites (Image: Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n
\n The retailer warned online customers: \u201cDon’t miss your last chance to buy and grab your favourites for less today – once items in our Sale are gone, they really are gone forever!\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Online offers include:\n<\/p>\n
50% off signed & special edition books<\/p>\n
Up to 50% off stationery<\/p>\n
20% off LEGO sets<\/p>\n
Up to 75% off Christmas shop<\/p>\n
TG Jones restructuring plans explained<\/p>\n
\n As well as store closures, the restructuring plan includes an additional \u00a315 million loan from Modella Capital, on top of \u00a310 million provided in April.\n<\/p>\n
\n It also includes reduced rent rates for landlords.\n<\/p>\n
\n After the plans were approved, Alex Willson, chief executive of TG Jones, said: “We welcome the court\u2019s approval of our restructuring plan.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This decision allows us to move ahead with our turnaround strategy.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The plan protects the substantial core of the store estate and makes TG Jones a stronger, more sustainable business.\n<\/p>\n
\n “We are incredibly grateful to all the colleagues, partners and stakeholders who engaged constructively throughout the process, and to Modella Capital for its continued financial commitment.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Tom Smith KC, representing TG Jones, said the company has faced a “long-term sales decline” made worse by high inflation, rising operating costs, and the shift to online shopping.\n<\/p>\n
\n He also said the rebranding from WH Smith has negatively impacted sales.\n<\/p>\n
\n WH Smith was originally established in 1792 by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna in Mayfair, London.\n<\/p>\n
\n After their deaths, the business was taken over by their son, William Henry Smith, who grew the company throughout the 19th century.\n<\/p>\n
\n The last member of the Smith family left the board in 1996.\n<\/p>\n
UK restaurant chain shuts all 195 sites after 52 years<\/p>\n
\n TG Jones closures were not the only major chain to shut sites this month.\n<\/p>\n
\n All Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites closed their doors for the final time earlier in September as part of a major restructure by parent company Whitbread.\n<\/p>\n
\n The company also closed its Bar + Block, Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub sites this month, bringing the total to 195 sites across the country.\n<\/p>\n
\n The closures came after Whitbread announced a five-year growth strategy and restructuring plan earlier this year, placing around 3,800 jobs at risk.\n<\/p>\n
\n The restructure is designed to refocus the business and achieve \u00a3250 million in cost savings.\n<\/p>\n
\n All Beefeater sites across the UK have now closed (Image: Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n
\n Whitbread plans to convert some of the restaurant sites into additional Premier Inn rooms and sell off around \u00a31.5 billion worth of freehold properties to fund further expansion.\n<\/p>\n
\n The group currently owns about 86,600 hotel rooms and aims to grow this to 96,000 by the 2031 financial year.\n<\/p>\n
\n Although Whitbread said it aims to redeploy many of the affected staff elsewhere in the business, it confirmed that the changes will result in significant job losses.\n<\/p>\n
\n A company statement said: “We recognise the impact of this proposal on colleagues who work at the affected sites.\n<\/p>\n
\n “As a business which recruits around 15,000 people every year, we expect to be able to retain a significant proportion of those affected and will be looking to redeploy as many of our impacted colleagues as possible.\n<\/p>\n
\n “However, we do anticipate that the proposed changes, which are subject to consultation, would result in a reduction of around 3,800 roles of a total UK and Ireland workforce of around 30,000.\n<\/p>\n
\n “We will do all we can to support those colleagues affected.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Brewers Fayre locations shut for the final time on Monday, September 7, with Beefeater following suit a few days later on Thursday, September 10.\n<\/p>\n
\n Both were the staple chains for Whitbread, and have been a part of the UK restaurant scene for decades.\n<\/p>\n
\n Beefeater was founded 52 years ago in 1974, and expanded significantly in 1995 when Whitbread acquired and rebranded the rival Berni Inn chain to Beefeater, which had 115 locations.\n<\/p>\n
\n At its peak, Beefeater had more than 250 locations by the late 1990s.\n<\/p>\n
\n Brewers Fayre was founded slightly later in 1981 and had expanded to more than 100 locations nationwide by the end of the 1980s.\n<\/p>\n
Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration\/liquidation in 2026<\/p>\n
\n It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.\n<\/p>\n
\n Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire’s, and Quiz have been forced to close all their remaining stores after falling into administration.\n<\/p>\n
\n UK fashion retailer Leading Labels also closed its remaining stores after falling into liquidation in May.\n<\/p>\n
\n Wynsors World of Shoes is shutting 17 stores across the UK, with closing down sales already underway at several affected branches.\n<\/p>\n
\n Other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including:\n<\/p>\n
River Island<\/p>\n
Primark<\/p>\n
Poundland<\/p>\n
Revolution<\/p>\n
BrewDog<\/p>\n
Franco Manca<\/p>\n
\n Several UK travel companies have ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:\n<\/p>\n
\n Wayfairer Travel Limited has also suspended all services “until further notice” as it looks to appoint an administrator.\n<\/p>\n
\n Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:\n<\/p>\n
\n Recommended reading:\n<\/p>\n
\n It hasn’t all been bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.\n<\/p>\n
\n Meanwhile, brands including Evans and Bodycare have returned to the UK high street this year after previously closing all their stores.\n<\/p>\n
\n What is your favourite high street shop to visit? Let us know in the comments.\n<\/p>\n
#high #street #chain #shuts #stores #September<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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