They're still using WHSmith's systems for at least a year after the sale.simonipswich1 wrote: Sun 09 Nov, 2025 17.35 Made a purchase in TG Jones, receipt said TG Jones but when the money was debit from my bank account it was WH Smith.
High Street chain collapse sweepstake
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Martin Phillp
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TVF's London Lite.
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Martin Phillp
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- Joined: Wed 11 May, 2011 01.28
My local Post Office Ltd branch was franchised at the end of October, so on my first visit back I noticed they've stopped selling the WHSmith branded stationary for no-name products.
Before the changes, if you topped up electricity or gas, they'd walk to the back office to top up there, now they have the Payzone terminal at the counter so they don't have to leave. Presumably the old terminal was connected to a phone line, while this one appears to work with WiFi.
Before the changes, if you topped up electricity or gas, they'd walk to the back office to top up there, now they have the Payzone terminal at the counter so they don't have to leave. Presumably the old terminal was connected to a phone line, while this one appears to work with WiFi.
TVF's London Lite.
Meanwhile, ten branches of Post Office in Merseyside, including one that I frequent, are temporarily closed for unexplained "operational reasons"
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... r-32860096
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... r-32860096
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Martin Phillp
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- Joined: Wed 11 May, 2011 01.28
That's one of the issues with the franchise model, if the franchisee can't make it work, they can close and leave local people without a post office for weeks, possibly months while PO Ltd find another business to take it on.
In my area, the Costcutter took on the PO after the original sub PO closed, but they couldn't make it work after a month and was never replaced.
In my area, the Costcutter took on the PO after the original sub PO closed, but they couldn't make it work after a month and was never replaced.
TVF's London Lite.
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BBC TV Centre
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Hohoho, good luck trying to disentangle themselves. Hmm, I wonder what other private-equity funded retailer had similar vision and fate. The one with slap your back pocket springs to mind...Martin Phillp wrote: Wed 12 Nov, 2025 13.06They're still using WHSmith's systems for at least a year after the sale.simonipswich1 wrote: Sun 09 Nov, 2025 17.35 Made a purchase in TG Jones, receipt said TG Jones but when the money was debit from my bank account it was WH Smith.
The TG Jones in Leeds has received a full interior refurbishment with all the branding/signs denoting the various departments etc all in a new style.
Previously the store looked like it wasn’t open. The windows were mostly covered by posters and the lighting was dark with only 1/3rd of all tubes working. Now the windows have been fully cleared and all the lighting is new bright fittings, it feels bright and airy, it’s a massive change
There is also now a Post Office, which also seems to be in a new branding style. There is a small Hobbycraft section as well as a Toys R Us.
In terms of stock, there seems to be some light DIY stock that you wouldn’t have previously seen in a WHSmith.
Previously the store looked like it wasn’t open. The windows were mostly covered by posters and the lighting was dark with only 1/3rd of all tubes working. Now the windows have been fully cleared and all the lighting is new bright fittings, it feels bright and airy, it’s a massive change
There is also now a Post Office, which also seems to be in a new branding style. There is a small Hobbycraft section as well as a Toys R Us.
In terms of stock, there seems to be some light DIY stock that you wouldn’t have previously seen in a WHSmith.