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TG Jones to shut 150 UK high‑street stores as restructuring continues
British retailer TG Jones, the former WH Smith high‑street arm now owned by Modella Capital, announced the permanent closure of 150 of its roughly 480 shops. The plan affects about 4,700 employees and includes the Helston store, which will close on 16 September, and the Southend‑on‑Sea outlet, slated to close on 26 September. Both locations have launched "everything‑must‑go" clearance sales. In addition to the retail spaces, post‑office branches operating inside the affected stores will also cease operations.
The closures are part of a broader restructuring aimed at stabilising the chain amid challenging retail conditions on the UK high street. Critics have blamed past mismanagement by former owner WH Smith and the current owner’s aggressive cost‑cutting for the decline, while the company says the moves are intended to secure its long‑term future and support remaining staff.
Entities
Helston · London Court · Modella Capital · Southend‑on‑Sea · TG Jones · United Kingdom · WH Smith
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The restructuring plan aims to retain airport and train‑station stores while making the remaining city‑centre network sustainable. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The closures began in Bath, Swindon, Uckfield, Redcar and Market Harborough. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Stores are running 'Everything for sale' liquidation promotions with discounts of up to 30%. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] WH Smith's city‑center stores were sold to Modella Capital in 2025 and rebranded as TG Jones. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] WH Smith was founded in 1792 by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 5,000 employees work at the stores slated for closure and may be affected. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A London court approved a restructuring plan in July 2026 to close 150 TG Jones stores by the end of 2026. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] TG Jones operates 480 stores in the United Kingdom, of which 150 will close. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] WH Smith sold its city‑center stores to Modella Capital in 2025. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The closures could affect approximately 5,000 employees. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A court approved a restructuring plan in July 2026 authorising the closure of 150 TG Jones stores. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] By the end of 2026, 150 of the 480 TG Jones stores in the United Kingdom will close. www.dunya.com · www.finansingundemi.com · www.gzt.com