<boltar@caprica.universe> wrote:
On Sat, 8 Nov 2025 16:41:49 -0000 (UTC)
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> gabbled:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
And why pick just one sector, there are many more commercial outletsWHS still alive and kicking, just died on the high street.
than just catering. Even under BR (and before), newspapers, magazines >>>> and books were sold by a commercial company, the late lamented WH Smiths. >>>
It didn't die, it was executed.
No, just some of the estate sold off and renamed as TG Jones.
If WHS management has invested in perhaps
tarting up their shops instead of leaving them looking like refugees from
the 90s they might have done better.
ItrCOll be interesting if the new owners can get a return on the -u76m theyrCOve
paid for the high street shops, sans brand.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
<boltar@caprica.universe> wrote:
On Sat, 8 Nov 2025 16:41:49 -0000 (UTC)
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> gabbled:
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
And why pick just one sector, there are many more commercial outlets >>>>> than just catering. Even under BR (and before), newspapers, magazines >>>>> and books were sold by a commercial company, the late lamented WH Smiths. >>>>WHS still alive and kicking, just died on the high street.
It didn't die, it was executed.
No, just some of the estate sold off and renamed as TG Jones.
If WHS management has invested in perhaps
tarting up their shops instead of leaving them looking like refugees from >>> the 90s they might have done better.
ItrCOll be interesting if the new owners can get a return on the -u76m theyrCOve
paid for the high street shops, sans brand.
Update:
Fears for former WH SmithrCOs high street shops as new owner seeks help
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/03/02/fears-former-wh-smith-high-street-shops-owner-seeks-help/
The owners of WH SmithrCOs former high street empire have parachuted in a team of corporate troubleshooters less than a year after taking over the chain.
The Telegraph understands that private equity firm Modella Capital has
asked advisers at Teneo to come up with a restructuring plan that will put the business rCo now trading under the name TG Jones rCo on a more sustainable
footing.
The move will prompt fears about another raft of store closures and job losses at a time when the high street is already reeling from a flurry of retail collapses, including several chains under ModellarCOs ownership.
It is believed roughly 80 TG Jones stores out of a total of around 480 are most at risk following a period of tough trading. The future of scores more could be threatened if cheaper rent deals canrCOt be agreed with landlords.
No final decisions have been made. Although a store closure programme is
one option on the table, Teneo is expected to evaluate alternative measures including a request for financial support from WH Smith.
ModellarCOs room for manoeuvre is complicated by an agreement between the two sides that effectively bans it from pulling the plug on poorly performing shops for 12 months after its -u40m takeover.
WH Smith offloaded the business in June last year, ending a 230-year
presence on the British high street.
Retail industry sources said a chronic lack of investment under its
previous parent company, Rachel ReevesrCOs tax raids and a worsening economic backdrop had combined to hit the TG Jones business.
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Retail industry sources said a chronic lack of investment under its
previous parent company, Rachel ReevesrCOs tax raids and a worsening economic
backdrop had combined to hit the TG Jones business.
Hardly a surprise. The high street ex-WHS shops donrCOt sell anything that >you canrCOt get elsewhere much cheaper and in a less depressing environment.
On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 14:20:40 -0000 (UTC)
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> gabbled:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
Retail industry sources said a chronic lack of investment under its
previous parent company, Rachel ReevesrCOs tax raids and a worsening economic
backdrop had combined to hit the TG Jones business.
Hardly a surprise. The high street ex-WHS shops donrCOt sell anything that >>you canrCOt get elsewhere much cheaper and in a less depressing environment.
Not true. Certainly specialist magazines for cars, hifi etc arn't sold anywhere
else near me plus they sell lots of kids school books. Ordering everything online is slow and enviromentally a bad idea when the alternative is walking 5 mins up the road to the high street.
On 02/03/2026 16:40, boltar@caprica.universe wrote:
On Mon, 2 Mar 2026 14:20:40 -0000 (UTC)
Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> gabbled:
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:Not true. Certainly specialist magazines for cars, hifi etc arn't sold >anywhere
Retail industry sources said a chronic lack of investment under its
previous parent company, Rachel ReevesrCOs tax raids and a worsening >economic
backdrop had combined to hit the TG Jones business.
Hardly a surprise. The high street ex-WHS shops donrCOt sell anything that >>>you canrCOt get elsewhere much cheaper and in a less depressing environment. >>
else near me plus they sell lots of kids school books. Ordering everything >> online is slow and enviromentally a bad idea when the alternative is walking >> 5 mins up the road to the high street.
Indeed, I don't think I've ever been in a railway station WHS, whereas I >patronise their high street outlets whenever I get the opportunity. I was >most disappointed when our local one was turned into a banking hub.
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