‘Are there any actual shops left’ sob fans as high street giant with 1,400 branches to shut its doors for good in weeks
SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a high street giant with 1,400 branches is set to shut its doors for good in weeks.
The retail giant has confirmed the imminent closure of one of its stores in Berkshire.
WHSmith announced it is rolling down the shutters for the final time on the store in the bustling high street in Slough.
The shop will be emptied from stationary and books alongside the Post Office.
Locals will now have to take their baskets and letters elsewhere.
With over 1,400 branches nationwide, the retailer has left locals mourning the loss of a Slough staple.
Staff will shut the doors for the final time on Saturday, May 11.
Bosses said the decision follows an end to the unit’s lease and financial challenges.
A WHSmith spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Slough will be closing on Saturday, 11 May.
“It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from this location and the decision has been taken to close the store as a result of the forthcoming lease expiry.
“We are disappointed to be losing our presence in this location 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 with this transition and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”
However, the move has sparked a wave of discontentment among locals who are already grappling with a “ghosted” high street.
Shoppers said the move marks a significant blow to their town.
Taking to Facebook, one shopper said: “Are there any actual shops left in Slough High Street?”
Another slammed: “Another good shop going, may as well shut the high street down, not worth staying open. What a sad affair.”
A third fumed: “They keep saying they’re going to transform the high street but nothing is happening.”
Others vented out their sadness and frustrations.
A local slammed: “I am shocked to hear that W.H. Smith is closing down.”
Another added: “Not another valuable store. Such a shame to the town and residents.”
A third penned: “Another nail in the coffin for Slough.”
The retailer has 600 stores on the high street, along with more than 800 travel stores located in airports, train stations, hospitals, workplaces and motorway services.
Earlier this month as part of its preliminary results the chain announced it will close 22 stores to focus on finding better quality space.
In June, WHSmith’s boss Carl Cowling said it had no plans to open any more UK high street stores.
Instead, it is focusing its efforts on UK airports and train stations, as well as looking to expand in the US and Europe, he said.
Which UK stores are closing down?
WHSmith closed its branch in Crewe, Cheshire, in early 2023 in a blow for locals.
The site in the Victoria Shopping Centre welcomed in customers for the final time in March.
That same month, the stationer pulled down the shutters on its branch in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
In August, a store closed in Bicester, Oxfordshire, while a further site in Manchester shuttered for good on December 2, 2023.
In 2024, WHSmith closed four sites, including in Alfreton, Derbyshire in January, and Ramsgate, Kent, the same month.
In February, two further branches closed for good including in Oban, Scotland, and Nantwich in South Cheshire.
This is the full list of stores and their closure dates:
- Crewe, Cheshire – March, 2023
- Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire – March, 2023
- Bicester, Oxfordshire – August, 2023
- Manchester – December 2, 2023
- Alfreton, Derbyshire – January, 2024
- Ramsgate, Kent – January, 2024
- Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland – February, 2024
- Nantwich, South Cheshire – February, 2024
- Margate, Kent – April 20, 2024