The past couple of months have been a tumultuous time for WH Smith. After announcing a string of store closures, then revealing all 500 of the brand’s high-street shops could be sold (potentially to HMV), now the retailer could reportedly vanish from UK high streets.
Over the weekend the Sunday Times revealed that a deal for the sale of 500 WH Smith stores is unlikely to include the brand. In other words, after 230 years of service the iconic stationery and books retailer’s name could disappear from Britain’s high streets.
Before any WH Smith-fan readers start worrying about the complete disappearance of the chain – worry not. Smiths is only looking to potentially offload its high street branches, and instead intends to focus on its outlets in airports and train stations.
Of course, at the moment none of this is officially confirmed. WH Smith is in talks with potential sellers, with no deal struck as yet. Reportedly interested in buying the 500 shops are Hilco, the former owner of Homebase, and Doug Putman, the current owner of HMV.
RECOMMENDED: Full list of UK high street closures confirmed in 2025, from Homebase to New Look.
Which WH Smiths stores are definitely closing?
Here are all the WH Smiths that have been confirmed as closing.
- Bournemouth Old Christchurch Road, Dorset (closed January 18)
- Luton, Bedfordshire (closed January 18)
- March, Cambridgeshire (closed January 25)
- Basingstoke, Hampshire (closed February 1)
- Newtown, Powys (closed February 15)
- Winton branch in Bournemouth, Dorset (closed February 15)
- Rhyl, Denbighshire (closed February 15)
- Accrington, Lancashire (March 15)
- Halstead, Essex (April)
- Halesowen, West Midlands (April)
- Diss, Norfolk (April)
- Newport, Isle of Wight (April)
- Haverhill, Suffolk (April 26)
- Stockton, County Durham (May)
- Oldham, Greater Manchester (May)
- Orpington, Greater London (no specified date)
How many high street stores does WH Smith have?
The retailer has around 500 UK high street stores, employing approximately 5,000 people.
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