We had the same with Poundland in Southampton city centre, the landlord was increasing the rent and so Poundland was going to close the store on 31st December, there was a closing down sale but then last week they advised new terms were agreed after all and the store is staying open!

I wonder when the first products branded as TG Jones will start to appear. I notice the Christmas decorations and the 2026 Diaries and Calendars are still branded ‘WHSmith’


I wonder if WHSmith branded items will just continue to supply TGJones?

I also wonder if they should have chosen a ...

With so many well-known retailers struggling lately, I thought it might be fun (in a dark humour way) to start a sweepstake: which big high street name do you think will be the next to go under?

Some have already disappeared (Wilko, Debenhams, BHS…), and others are constantly in the headlines ...

it's only a matter of time before they close all their counters as Sainsubry's and Tesco have..

Saino's?!

I suspect if the High Street stores are sold off then whoever buys them will want to keep the WHSmith brand name so maybe they would operate under a franchise?

Sainsbury's in Hedge End, Southampton still has the old SAINSBURY'S logo on the entrance to the staff car park as seen here:

https://www.google.com/maps/@50.9208299 ... entry=ttu

My local store (Hedge End, Southampton) had it's Pharmacy removed several months ago, I was expecting them to install more shelving however it's just a large empty space, does anyone know what the plan is for these spaces?! Also recently a load more staffed checkouts were removed leaving only 10 ...

a real shame about Paperchase, will definitely be a gap in the High Street for a more premium card and stationery shop

Sainsbury's are closing the majority of their Cafe's - some to be run by external companies such as Carluccio's or Starbucks. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60574697

There's some interesting ideas in this article on what might happen to some of the units, personally I'll miss Debenhams, I worked at their Southampton store for several months back in 2005...

https://www.standard.co.uk/business/lei ... r3z-addoor