WH Smith off high street as all shops sold j in 76m deal

WH Smith will disappear from the high street after a deal to sell its business to investment firm Modella Capital, owner of the arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft, for 76m.

- ANNA WISE

The move will eventually see the familiar WH Smith name replaced by the TG Jones brand. The sale only affects WH Smith’s traditional storefront locations and does not include its lucrative travel retail business, which operates in airports and train stations.

The deal encompasses approximately 480 high street stores and transfers around 5,000 employees to Modella Capital. The future of the WH Smith brand itself remains secure, as it is not included in the sale.