TG Jones to close five Essex stores following restructuring

TG Jones is set to permanently close five stores across Essex in the coming weeks. The closures are part of a High Court-approved restructuring plan designed to prevent insolvency, which is expected to result in the closure of 150 stores and the loss of hundreds of jobs.

The specific Essex locations and their scheduled closure dates are:

• Basildon Town Square: September 21 • Southend High Street: September 26 • Maldon High Street: October 9 • Wickford High Street: October 12 • Billericay High Street: Expected in October

The chain, formerly known as WH Smith before being acquired and rebranded by Modella last year, has faced a long-term decline in sales. Legal representatives attributed this decline to several factors, including inflation, increased online shopping, reduced consumer spending, higher taxes, and rising labor costs. It was also noted that the rebranding process may have negatively impacted sales.