WH Smith confirms 17 stores closing in 2025 including one in London - see full list

WH Smith has announced the list of 17 stores which are already confirmed as closing in 2025 as the big name chain looks to sell off its high street stores, raising questions what will also happen to linked Post Office branches. The books, stationery and gifts chain announced over the weekend that it is in talks over the sale of 500 high street stores around Britain.

The company previously stated that it had around 470 store leases up for renewal over the next three years, which included 100 where active negotiations with landlords were in place. However, an array of store closures have been confirmed for up until May 2025. Among them is the Orpington branch at Nugent Retail Park after the landlord sent through a notice to terminate the lease

Regarding this South London closure, a WH Smith spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have been issued notice to terminate our lease by the landlord on the WH Smith store at Nugent Retail Park, Orpington, and as a result our store will be closing early [in 2025].

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“We are disappointed to be losing our presence at Nugent Retail Park and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us. We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in-store colleagues who we will support and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”

Since 2006, WH Smith has been in partnership with the Post Office, providing its services in close to 200 stores. However, the future of these operations is left uncertain with the Post Office confirming it's in contact with WH Smith to be kept up to date with the plans.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports regarding WH Smith and are in contact with them to understand more about their plans for their High Street stores. We will remain in contact with them after their update to the market."

WH Smith currently employs around 5,000 people across the UK, with workers facing uncertainty as private equity suitors eye a deal to take control of the retailer’s high street shops. The company said it is assessing options for the division as it seeks to focus on its larger travel operation.

It is understood private equity groups Hilco and Alteri are among parties to raise interest over a possible takeover move for the business, after WH Smith launched the process late last year. Both Hilco and Alteri have experience in UK retail as turnaround specialists.

However, this may raise concerns among some workers over what a private equity takeover deal would mean for the future of the WH Smith high street estate and roughly 5,000 workers. Peel Hunt analyst, Jonathan Pritchard, said that while there is limited scope for a new owner to cut jobs in an efficiency drive, some could consider further store closures.

He said: “It is hardly as though this is a fat business, with lots of inefficient processes and store staff dossing about. Quite the opposite. Store closures could be material in somebody else’s hands, but WH Smith itself, clearly, has a good line of site on how to get the most out of the chain, and it is unlikely that anyone else has the silver bullet to re-galvanise profitability here.”

It is understood that WH Smith plans to retain its name for its travel business and could therefore strike a sale deal which will not include the use of the brand on the high street or it could involve a licensing process. This is expected to be part of the negotiation process for prospective buyers.

Full list of WH Smith closures confirmed for 2025 so far

Bournemouth, Dorset – January 18 Luton, Bedfordshire – January 18 March, Cambridgeshire – January 25 Basingstoke, Hampshire – February 1 Newtown, Powys – February 15 Bournemouth (Winton), Dorset – February 15 Rhyl, Denbighshire – February 15 Bolton, Greater Manchester – February Accrington, Lancashire – March 15 Halstead, Essex – April Halesowen, West Midlands – April Diss, Norfolk – April Newport, South Wales – April Haverhill, Suffolk – April 26 Stockton, County Durham – May Oldham, Greater Manchester – May Orpington, South London – no date given yet

Shares in WH Smith lifted higher on Monday as investors prepare for a potential cash windfall from a sale. Analysts have predicted that the high street business could be sold for £100 million or more in the coming months. Mr Pritchard predicted the company would sell the business for between £100 million and £130 million based on recent earnings.

Earnings remained flat at £32 million in the traditional high street business despite a 2 per cent drop in like-for-like sales thanks to cost-saving efforts. Investec analyst Kate Calvert predicted that the business will deliver lower earnings, at about £27 million, for the current year. Ms Calvert added: “This is not a surprise and has been an obvious next step in the group’s evolution for a number of years given the investment focus has been on travel for a long time.”

The company stressed that the possible deal is part of its strategy to focus on its more profitable and growing travel business. It said: “Over the past decade, WH Smith has become a focused global travel retailer,” the statement continued.

“The group’s travel business has over 1,200 stores across 32 countries, and three-quarters of the group’s revenue and 85% of its trading profit comes from the travel business. There can be no certainty that any agreement will be reached, and further updates will be provided as and when appropriate.”

Hilco declined to comment. Alteri has been contacted for comment.

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