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TG Jones Store Closures UK? Complete Guide to Affected Locations

The TG Jones Store Closures UK news has worried many people across Britain. Shops that families have used for years are now closing their doors. These stores sell books, school supplies, newspapers, greeting cards, and many other useful items. Some also have Post Office counters, which help local people send parcels and pay bills. TG Jones was once part of the famous WHSmith high street business.

After a change of owner in 2025, the stores were given a new name. Now, the company is making another big change. It plans to close up to 150 shops to save money and protect the rest of its business. Many stores closed in September and October 2026, while others are due to shut in early 2027. This guide explains which places are affected, why stores are closing, and what customers should do next.

What Is TG Jones and Why Are Its Shops Closing?

TG Jones is a UK shop chain that sells books, magazines, pens, notebooks, cards, and gifts. Many people know these shops because they were once called WHSmith. In June 2025, a company named Modella Capital bought the high street part of WHSmith. The new owner changed the name to TG Jones.

The deal included 464 shops, many of which had been part of British town centres for a long time. The business later faced big money problems. Fewer people were visiting some stores, while the cost of running the shops kept rising. The company decided it could not afford to keep every branch open. It made a plan to close stores that were losing money and keep shops that had a better chance of doing well.

Why Are TG Jones Stores Closing Across the UK?

There are several reasons behind the TG Jones Store Closures UK plan. One major problem is the rise of online shopping. Many people now buy books, pens, and gifts on the internet instead of visiting shops. This means some high street stores have fewer customers. Another problem is the rising cost of rent, electricity, workers, and taxes.

Even a busy shop needs enough sales to pay these bills. When sales fall but costs stay high, the business can lose money. TG Jones has also faced long-term sales problems that began before the name change. In July 2026, a court in England approved a plan to help the company deal with its debts and lower some costs. This plan lets the business close weaker shops while trying to save the stronger ones.

TG Jones Store Closures UK: Quick Facts Table

Quick Facts Details
1. Company name TG Jones
2. Former shop name WHSmith
3. Business location United Kingdom
4. Type of company High street retail
5. Main products Books, stationery, cards, and gifts
6. Business owner Modella Capital
7. Date of purchase June 2025
8. Shops in the original sale 464
9. Shops before the closure plan Around 450
10. Stores that could close Up to 150
11. Court approval 1 July 2026
12. Main problem Falling sales and high costs
13. Main closure period 2026 and early 2027
14. Post Office counters affected 70 in announced closures as of 24 October 2026
15. People affected Shoppers, staff, and local communities

How Many TG Jones Shops Are Closing in 2026?

TG Jones has around 450 shops in its network, and up to 150 could close under its approved plan. This is about one-third of the whole chain. It is important to know that not all 150 shops closed at once. The company is closing stores in stages. Some shut during the summer, while more closed in September and October 2026.

A report from The Guardian on 24 October 2026 said about 65 stores had already closed. At least 46 more were expected to close by early 2027. The same report said 110 store closures had been announced. These numbers may rise as the company makes more decisions. People should not assume their nearest TG Jones is closing unless there is a clear announcement.

Which TG Jones Stores Closed in September 2026?

September 2026 was a key month for the TG Jones Store Closures UK programme. Nineteen locations were named in closure reports. Bath was among the first stores to shut, closing on 1 September. Shops in Redcar and Redhill followed on 5 September.

Other towns then lost their branches during the rest of the month. These closures affected both large shopping areas and smaller town centres. Many of the stores had been useful places for families to buy school items, books, and cards. Here are some of the reported September closing dates.

Affected Location Closing Date
Bath 1 September 2026
Redcar 5 September 2026
Redhill 5 September 2026
Market Harborough 12 September 2026
Uckfield 12 September 2026
Cambridge 14 September 2026
Swindon 15 September 2026
Helston 16 September 2026
Deal 19 September 2026
Basildon 21 September 2026
Rustington 23 September 2026
Clevedon 26 September 2026
Greenford 26 September 2026
Kenilworth 26 September 2026
Southend-on-Sea 26 September 2026
Exmouth 28 September 2026
Frome 30 September 2026

Cardigan in Wales and Wells in Somerset were also named in the September reports. Their final closing dates were not confirmed in those early lists.

Which TG Jones Stores Closed in October 2026?

The closures continued in October as the company worked through its cost-cutting plan. Shops in Bury St Edmunds, Inverness, Malvern, Tamworth, Dorking, and many other places were affected. This showed that the changes were happening in different parts of the UK.

Some stores were on busy high streets, while others were inside shopping centres. A number of branches held closing-down sales before their last day. Customers could buy some items at lower prices, but local people were also losing familiar shops. The following table shows selected reported October dates.

Affected Location Closing Date
Bury St Edmunds 3 October 2026
Inverness 6 October 2026
Malvern 6 October 2026
Maldon 9 October 2026
Tamworth 9 October 2026
Dorking 10 October 2026
Leek 12 October 2026
Bridgnorth 13 October 2026
Pinner 14 October 2026
York, Coney Street 14 October 2026
Marlborough 17 October 2026
Stratford-upon-Avon 20 October 2026
Ormskirk 21 October 2026
Orpington 28 October 2026
Droitwich 31 October 2026

These are selected locations from public closure reports, not every affected store in Britain.

Which TG Jones Stores Will Close in 2027?

The TG Jones Store Closures UK plan will also affect stores in 2027. Several branches have announced that they will close after the Christmas shopping period. This gives customers more time to visit the shops, buy needed items, and make other plans.

Some stores have already started closing-down sales. The towns affected include Ryde, Telford, Ludlow, and Farnham. Local reports have also named more shops due to close in January.

Store Location Reported Final Trading Date
Ryde, Isle of Wight 9 January 2027
Telford Centre 9 January 2027
Ludlow, Shropshire 9 January 2027
Cosham, Portsmouth 9 January 2027
Waterlooville, Hampshire 23 January 2027, reported
Farnham, Surrey 27 January 2027

The Waterlooville date comes from a local report dated 1 November 2026. Final dates can change, so shoppers should check store notices before visiting.

What Will Happen to Post Office Counters Inside TG Jones?

One of the biggest problems caused by the closures is the loss of Post Office services. Many TG Jones shops have a Post Office counter inside them. People use these counters to send letters, post parcels, pay bills, and access some banking services. When a store closes, its Post Office counter may close too. This can be a serious problem for older people, people without cars, and small businesses.

On 24 October 2026, The Guardian reported that 70 Post Office branches were affected by 110 announced TG Jones store closures. Of these, 36 had already closed and another 34 were due to close by early 2027. The Post Office wants to find new places for these services, but a replacement may not be ready right away. Customers can use the official Post Office Branch Finder to find another nearby branch.

How Will the Closures Affect TG Jones Workers?

Store closures can be very hard for workers. TG Jones had about 5,000 staff when the court approved its plan in July 2026. These workers help customers, put products on shelves, manage payments, and keep shops clean and safe. When a store shuts, some staff may lose their jobs. Others may look for work at another branch or with a new company.

It is not clear how many jobs will be lost across all the planned closures. The company has said it wants to support workers affected by its decisions. Losing a job can cause stress for families because they may depend on that income to pay for food, rent, and other needs. This is why the closure news matters to more than just shoppers.

How Do TG Jones Closures Affect Small Towns?

The TG Jones Store Closures UK news is also a concern for local towns. A large shop can bring people into a shopping area. These people may then visit nearby cafés, food shops, and small stores. When a well-known shop closes, fewer people may visit that part of town.

An empty shop can also make a high street look less busy. This may be a bigger problem in smaller towns where people have fewer places to shop. For example, a family may need to travel to another town to buy books or school supplies. If the closed shop also had a Post Office, the trip could become even harder. New businesses may move into some empty spaces later, but this is not certain.

Are All Former WHSmith Stores Closing?

No, not all former WHSmith stores are closing. This is an important fact that shoppers should understand. The TG Jones closures mainly affect the high street stores sold to Modella Capital in 2025. WHSmith kept its travel shops at airports, railway stations, and hospitals.

These stores are part of a different business and are not included in the TG Jones closure plan. Even within the TG Jones chain, many stores are expected to remain open. The company wants to keep shops that can make enough money to pay their costs. This means people may still see TG Jones stores in many UK towns after 2027. The plan is about making the business smaller, not closing every shop.

What Should Customers Do Before Their Local Store Closes?

Customers should check the closing date of their nearest TG Jones branch before making a journey. Store windows may have notices showing the final day or details of a closing-down sale. People should also check the rules for returns, refunds, and gift cards. TG Jones gift cards normally have their own terms and can be used in the company’s shops and online store.

Older WHSmith gift cards have different rules. TG Jones stopped accepting WHSmith gift cards on 28 June 2026, although those cards may still be used at eligible WHSmith travel stores. Customers should always check the official TG Jones gift card information before trying to use a card. Anyone who needs Post Office services should find another nearby branch before the local counter closes.

Will TG Jones Offer Closing-Down Sales?

Some TG Jones stores have held closing-down sales to clear their stock before shutting. These sales may include books, notebooks, gifts, toys, and other shop products. However, not every branch will have the same offers. The products left in a store will also depend on how much stock has already sold.

A closing-down sale does not always mean every item is cheaper than at other shops. Customers should compare prices before buying. It is also important to keep receipts and ask about the returns policy. If a person buys something close to the final trading day, returning it to that same store may not be possible later. Checking these details can help avoid problems.

What Is the Future of TG Jones in the UK?

The future of TG Jones will depend on whether its remaining stores can bring in enough money. The company hopes that closing weaker shops and cutting some costs will help the business survive. It still sells products that many people need, such as books, greeting cards, school supplies, and stationery.

Yet it faces strong competition from large supermarkets, online sellers, and other high street shops. To keep customers coming back, it may need to offer good prices, useful products, and friendly service. The company has not announced that every store will close. Its plan is to keep a smaller group of shops open. More changes may still happen, so shoppers should watch for new announcements.

Final Thoughts

The TG Jones Store Closures UK story is an important change for Britain’s high streets. Up to 150 stores could close as the company works to lower costs and save its remaining business. Some towns have already lost their branches, while others will see closures in 2027. These changes affect more than shopping because workers may lose jobs and local people may lose Post Office services.

However, not every TG Jones store is closing. Many branches are expected to remain open. Customers should check local closing dates, keep their receipts, and find other shops or Post Office branches when needed. Staying informed will help families plan ahead and avoid problems when their local store closes.

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