High street favourite to pull down shutters after half a century as bosses axe 150 stores nationwide

A HIGH street favourite is set to shut its doors for good after more than 50 years on one of the UK’s most popular shopping streets. TG Jones, formerly known as WH Smith before the chain’s high street stores were sold, will close its store on Fargate in Sheffield city centre on January 9 next year. Closure notice posters have already gone up in the shop window, breaking the news to shoppers who have used the store for decades. In a statement, TG Jones said: “As we work to secure the long-term future of TG Jones, we have confirmed that our Sheffield store will close.” Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! The firm added it knew the news would be “disappointing” for colleagues, customers and the local community, and thanked staff for their “commitment” over the years. Councillor Ben Miskell, who chairs Sheffield Council’s Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee, said it was “really disappointing” to see the store close as part of the nationwide cuts. He added his thoughts were “first and foremost with the shop workers, many of whom will have worked there for years and become familiar faces to shoppers”. The councillor revealed the council had not been contacted by the shop’s owner, Modella, but said the authority stood ready to help staff affected by the closure. It comes as bosses battle to secure the “long-term future” of the retail chain. WH Smith’s high street shops were sold off last year and rebranded under the new name TG Jones, after being bought by private equity firm Modella Capital in a £76million deal. Most read in Money However, the chain has struggled to trade successfully since the start of this year, leading a court to approve a major restructuring plan in July that put around 150 stores at risk. It comes after the chain confirmed 19 stores would shut this month alone, with closing down sales offering up to 30% off stationery in branches including Bath, Redcar, Redhill, Cambridge, Swindon and Southend-on-Sea before the doors shut for good. Further closures have also been announced for October, with rent cuts taking place at other branches as part of the wider restructuring plans. Comment now