Post Office could lose 60 branches in high street closures of 1 major chain | UK | News
It has been reported that dozens of Post Office branches could close completely as part of restructuring plans. Around 480 WHSmith stores were acquired by private equity group Modella Capital last year to create TG Jones. The deal allowed WH Smith PLC to maintain a physical retail presence primarily through travel-focused stores in airports, railway stations, hospitals and motorway service areas.
TG Jones’ rebranding comes after WHSmith’s high street stores have struggled in recent years; The chefs ultimately opted to vacate those stores in June 2025 and focus on more profitable parts of their business. TG Jones operates approximately 450 stores and approximately 180 post offices within branches.
Plans to put the chain on a more “sustainable” footing were announced earlier this month following a difficult trading period; Modella took over the high street stores in less than a year.
A spokesperson for Modella told BBC News at the time that no decisions had been made about how any closures would affect business and that they aimed to protect as many people as possible.
“However, we want to make it clear that the plan may result in the closure of some stores and the loss of some roles,” they said. “We recognize the impact of this uncertainty on our colleagues, their families and the communities we serve.”
The announcement laid out plans to turn around the brand’s fortunes without revealing how many stores might be closed, but Modella confirmed eight stores would definitely close, including seven stores that include a Post Office.
Its proposals suggest reducing rents at dozens of branches, but landlords are expected to withdraw leases from stores rather than shoulder the burden of reducing rents. Guard reports.
As a result, up to 150 of TG Jones’s 450-store estate are thought to be at risk of closure. Modella is also understood to be hoping to amend contracts with the Post Office which would make it easier to close postal distribution points in its stores. It is understood up to 60 Post Offices could close under the plans.
Modella is reportedly aiming to move affected Post Office branches to stores of another business it owns, such as arts and crafts chain Hobbycraft.
However, The Telegraph reported this week that no final decision has been made and advisers are expected to weigh alternative solutions, although a store closure program is one option on the table. Creditors will vote on the plan in June.
Modella declined to comment when approached about potential Post Office closures.
A Post Office spokesman said the state-owned company was fully aware of the “challenging trading conditions currently faced by TG Jones and many other high street retailers”.
“It is regrettable that a small number of Post Office branches within TG Jones stores will close in the coming months, following TG Jones’ announcement of a restructuring plan on 7 May. “We are working hard to find locations nearby to continue providing Post Office services.
“We have a long-standing partnership with TG Jones and know that post offices attract significant footfall to the high street.”
The Post Office said it would “continue to work closely with TG Jones to understand what impact the restructuring plan may have on other stores that host post offices and are potentially at risk of closure”.
He also stated that he will continue to support many branches that are not affected by the restructuring plans announced within TG Jones branches.
