WHSmith announces further store closures in another hit on Britain’s high streets

WHSmith is the latest major high-street retailer to close multiple stores across the UK, with several branches already shuttered in recent months.

The national outlet has already closed locations in Alfreton, Ramsgate, Oban, and Nantwich since the start of 2024.

Further store closures are already planned for early 2025, continuing the retailer’s high street exodus.

The Old Christchurch Road branch in Bournemouth will close its doors in January 2025.

Basingstoke’s WHSmith, which has been a fixture in The Malls shopping centre for over 50 years, will cease trading on February 1.

The Basingstoke store is currently holding clearance sales with discounts of up to 30 per cent on stock.

Bolton will also lose its WHSmith branch in February 2025.

The final confirmed closure will be in Accrington, scheduled for March 2025.

Despite the high street closures, WHSmith is pursuing an aggressive expansion in travel locations, including airports, railway stations and hospitals.

The retailer previously announced plans to open 110 new branches this year in transport hubs, where profits are notably higher.

Speaking to the BBC, WHSmith CEO Carl Cowling revealed the company had invested over £100million in airport stores, aiming to capture 20 per cent of the airport retail market across the US and Europe.

Travel sales grew by 15 per cent compared to a three per cent fall in high street revenue.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS