WHSmith names nineteenth shop set to shut this year as 500 high street stores up for sale
WHSmith names nineteenth shop set to shut this year as 500 high street stores up for sale
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WHSMITH has named its nineteenth store marked for closure this year as 500 high street shops have been placed up for sale. The stationary to sweet shop has confirmed yet another closure after revealing 18 stores would shut for good in the coming months.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: A WH Smith Plc sign hangs outside a store on January 23, 2025 in London, England. The newsagent chain has announced the closure of 17 locations in the first half of 2025, as part of a previous plan to shutter 20 stores every year between 2023-2026 - most of which can be found on high streets around the UK. Elsewhere, the retailer plans to open 90 new sites, with a focus on 'travel locations' at airports, train stations, and motorway service stations. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GETTY_WHSmith-Announces-Store-Closures_NEW_GYI2195472524jpg-JS966031414.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The 232 year-old British business also revealed it would put its entire high street estate up for sale, with The Sun naming HMV owner Doug Putman as a potential buyer. It's branch on Long Eaton's high street in Nottinghamshire has already been marked for closure and is set to close on February 1.
Customers have branched the closure as "sad" with one saying the area would be left like a "ghost town". One said: "Another big empty shop. but not surprised..its so sad to see what Long Eaton has become.". While another said they "used" the shop and would "miss it".
A spokesperson for the branch told The Sun it was "disappointed" to be losing its presence in the area. They said: "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 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.". As for WHSmith, it already has plans to close another branch in Bournemouth later this year and in Woolwich come April.
