WH Smith Store Set To Re-brand As ‘TGJones’

Market Harborough’s WH Smith store is set to be re-banded as ‘TGJones’ after the retailer sold all its UK High Street shops.

The books and stationery chain has been bought by Modella Capital in a deal thought to be worth £76m, meaning its name will disappear from the High Street after over 230 years.

The company will take over 480 stores in retail parks, shopping centres and on High Streets, including 5,000 staff.

Modella said it would be ‘business as usual’ while it worked on changes to the store chain, which will keep the same products and services as well as adding new ranges.

WH Smith in Market Harborough

A Modella spokesperson said: “We are delighted to have been the successful bidder for one of the UK’s most iconic retail businesses.

“WH Smith stores are present in prime locations across many towns and cities across the country, and for more than two centuries have been an important feature in the UK retail landscape.

“Modella Capital believes strongly in the future of the high street, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to take a heritage brand and develop it further in the coming years.

“There will be a handover period in the immediate term, and it is very much business as usual whilst we work closely with the management team to define and execute a strategy to introduce new ranges and other offerings in the future.”

The sale does not include the WH Smith brand, its travel shops at airports and railway stations or its outlets in hospitals.