Over a Third of Post Offices in TG Jones Stores to Close by Early 2027
Seventy branches inside the retail chain formerly known as WH Smith are shutting down, raising fears of postal deserts across the UK.
At a glance
- Seventy post offices inside TG Jones stores are shutting down by early 2027 under a retail restructuring plan.
- The closures follow 52 branch losses in Morrisons Daily stores, prompting union warnings about emerging postal deserts.
- The Post Office stated it is committed to replacing every closing branch and is actively reviewing operator applications.
More than a third of post offices situated within the TG Jones high street chain are shutting down by early 2027, raising concerns that several UK towns and city centres could be left as "postal deserts."
According to Post Office records, 36 branches inside the chain—formerly known as WH Smith—have closed so far this year, with an additional 34 scheduled to cease operating by early 2027. TG Jones operated 180 post offices prior to a restructuring approved by creditors in July, following its acquisition and renaming by private equity firm Modella last year.
Modella expects to close up to 150 of the 450 stores it acquired. Roughly 65 of those shops have already closed, and at least 46 more will shut early next year. Of the 110 closures announced so far, 70 contain post office branches. The contraction coincides with the loss of 52 post offices within Morrisons Daily convenience stores this year, which is part of a plan by the supermarket to close 100 loss-making smaller shops.
The combined shutdowns mean locations such as Stevenage, Bracknell, Orpington, Hull, and York are each losing two post offices within a matter of months, while Telford's last branch is scheduled to shut in January. Regions including Essex, the West Midlands, Wales, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire have been among the hardest hit. Most of the affected locations had previously replaced large, directly managed Crown post offices that handled comprehensive services such as banking, passport, and driving licence checks.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) expressed alarm over the losses. CWU senior member Mole Meade stated that the cuts stem from cost-cutting and profit-seeking at the expense of communities. The closures also threaten local commerce; evidence submitted by the Post Office to a parliamentary inquiry showed that nearly a third of small and medium-sized businesses visit a local branch at least once a week, particularly following the shutdown of over 6,800 bank branches across the UK.
In response, the Post Office stated it is actively seeking replacement operators for every affected site. It noted strong interest from postmasters, with some locations attracting over 40 applications. While a branch in Stirling has reopened and a permanent replacement for Ipswich is due in November, other areas like Maidenhead and Uxbridge will rely on temporary facilities.
Source: The Guardian Business.
Questions and answers
- Why are post offices in TG Jones stores closing?
- Private equity firm Modella is restructuring TG Jones, formerly known as WH Smith, and expects to shut up to 150 stores, 70 of which contain post offices.
- Will the closing post office locations be replaced?
- The Post Office stated it is committed to replacing every closing branch and is currently reviewing applications from prospective operators.
- How many TG Jones post offices are shutting down?
- A total of 70 branches are closing, with 36 having already shut this year and 34 more scheduled to close by early 2027.
