WHSmith is closing another two stores this weekend. The books and stationery retailer is shutting its Halesowen, West Midlands, and its Diss, Norfolk, branches this Saturday.
WHSmith has confirmed both locations are shutting as a result of the current leases expiring, with some high street shoppers left devastated by the decision. One person said: “Be no reason to visit the high street soon there will be nothing left.” Another commented: “The Internet is killing all the shops.”
A third person said: “No surprise, never see anyone in there. Halesowen is becoming a ghost town.” A fourth shopper added: “That’s so sad. I was one of the original staff November 1980. Some great times and friends.”
A WHSmith spokesperson told Halesowen News: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Halesowen will be closing in April. We are disappointed to be losing our presence in Halesowen and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.
“We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in store colleagues who we will support with this transition and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”
On the closure of the Diss store, a spokesperson for WHSmith told Eastern Daily Press: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Diss will be closing in April. It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from this location and the decision has been taken to close the store as a result of the forthcoming lease expiry.
“We are disappointed to be losing our presence in Diss and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.”
It comes after WHSmith announced it is selling its 480 high street stores to investment firm and Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital, in a deal worth £76million. The stores will be rebranded as TGJones – meaning the WHSmith name will disappear after 233 years from town centres.
But the retailer will still have its more profitable travel locations, so shops in airports and train stations. These will remain open and will continue to operate under the WHSmith brand.
WHSmith has been quietly closing non-profitable stores in recent months, including in Woolwich, Basingstoke, Winton, Rhyl, and Bolton. The chain is also set to close at least another six stores over the next three months, including in Newport and Haverhill, which will shut later in April.
In a statement released in November, the company said it has around 470 store leases due for renewal over the next three years, including 100 where it is in active negotiations with the landlord.
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