Exact date WHSmith will shut down stores as it disappears from high street

The first handful of stores that are set to close after the books and stationery retailer announced it is selling its estate have been revealed. WHSmith branches in Halstead and Woolwich will close this Saturday and are both holding closing down sales with up to 75% off.

The other stores are closing later in April, May or July, according to , who report that WHSmith will close up to 20 stores in the coming weeks. You can find the full list of branches that are shutting for good below. It comes after 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 stations. These will remain open and will continue to operate under the WHSmith brand.

WHSmith has around 480 high street stores in the UK compared to its over 1,200 travel stores across 32 countries. WHSmith says its travel arm accounts for 85% of group profits. Carl Cowling, Group Chief Executive, said: "As we continue to deliver on our strategic ambition to become the leading global travel retailer, this is a pivotal moment for WHSmith as we become a business exclusively focused on travel.

"We have a highly successful travel business, operating in fast growing markets in 32 countries and we are constantly innovating to deliver strong returns and meet our customers’ and partners’ needs.

"Our travel business currently accounts for around 75% of the group’s revenue and 85% of its trading profit. With the ongoing strength in our UK travel division, and the scale of the growth opportunities in both North America and the rest of the , we are in our strongest ever position to deliver enhanced growth as we move forward as a pure play travel retailer.

"As our Travel business has grown, our UK high street business has become a much smaller part of the WHSmith Group. High street is a good business; it is profitable and cash generative with an experienced and high-performing management team.

"However, given our rapid international growth, now is the right time for a new owner to take the high street business forward and for the WHSmith leadership team to focus exclusively on our travel business.

"I wish the high street team every success. As we look forward as a simplified, travel-focused group, I am excited about the Group’s future prospects.

"With a clear strategy, a strong balance sheet, and operations in high growth and attractive markets, we are well-positioned to generate substantial growth and value for all stakeholders."

WHSmith store closures

• Halstead, Essex - April 12
• Woolwich, London - April 12
• Halesowen, West Midlands - April 19
• Diss, Norfolk - April 19
• Newport, Wales - April 26
• Haverhill, Suffolk - April 26
• Oldham, Greater Manchester - May 3
• Stockton, County Durham - May 17
• West Mall, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster - May 31
• Bedford, Bedfordshire - July 5

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