Store closings

ANOTHER WHSmith store will shut its doors for the final time this weekend as the retailer continues its slow retreat from Britain’s high streets.

Shoppers in Stockton, County Durham, will say goodbye to their local branch on Saturday, May 17, as it becomes the latest casualty in the chain’s ongoing wave of closures.

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The move follows a string of recent shutdowns across the country, with WHSmith axing high street locations after being snapped up by Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital earlier this year in a £76million deal.

The dramatic shake-up means the WHSmith name will vanish from town centres altogether, although its stores in airports, train stations and hospitals will stay open.

Locals in Stockton have been left gutted, with many now forced to travel to travel hubs or shop online for books, stationery, and gifts.

The high street giant has a number of stores in recent months – and more are set to follow.

Branches in Halstead and Woolwich shut on April 12, while Halesowen and Diss followed on April 19.

Just a week later, stores in Newport and Haverhill also pulled down the shutters.

And there’s no sign of the cuts slowing.

Two more sites are due to close by the end of July:

• West Mall, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster – May 31
• Bedford, Bedfordshire – July 5

Many of the shutting stores are currently holding closing-down sales, with shoppers able to grab big bargains before they go.

Already gone

At least ten WHSmith branches have already vanished from high streets this year, including:

• Bournemouth (Old Christchurch Road), Dorset
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• March, Cambridgeshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Long Eaton
• Newtown, Powys
• Winton (Bournemouth), Dorset
• Rhyl, Denbighshire
• Bolton, Greater Manchester
• Accrington, Lancashire

The retailer, which first opened in 1792, has faced growing pressure from rising costs, online rivals and changing shopper habits.

The end of WHSmith on the high street

The closures mark the beginning of the end of a 233-year stint on the high street for WHSmith.

Earlier this year, it put its entire high street estate up for sale as it focuses instead on its more profitable travel arm.

As previously mentioned, its remaining 480 high street stores were snapped up by Modella Capital last month, and the move saved the jobs of roughly 5,000 employees.

However, the famous WHSmith name is set to be lost to the high street as the shops will be gradually rebranded to TGJones.

The brand opened its first shop in 1792 in Little Grosvenor Street, London, later becoming the UK’s main newspaper distributor.

High street struggles

WHSmith’s departure from the high street comes just a few years after rival Wilko collapsed, with the brand partially rescued by The Range.

Retailers that had once seemed resilient now appear to be buckling under recent pressures.

They have had to deal with rising inflation and costs, a move to online shopping, and customers having less money to spend amid the cost of living crisis.

A BELOVED clothing store that has been in business for nearly 50 years has launched a massive sale ahead of its closure.

Ginger, in Norwich, will shut for good on June 7 after the owners were forced to make an “incredibly difficult decision”.

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The shop was founded by David and Rodger Kingsley in 1978 following the success of their sister company Jonathan Trumbull in 1971.

Beckie Kingsley broke the sad news on social media that her family’s shop was soon to be no more.

The store manager blamed the current economic climate and the aftermath of Covid-19 for the business’s hardship.

She said: “It’s with truly heavy hearts that, after 46 unforgettable years, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to close the doors at our beautiful, beloved and historic Timber Hill home.

“We’ve weathered many storms over the decades, but there’s been ongoing challenges of today’s financial climate – coupled with the lasting impact and huge shifts within the retail landscape since Covid.

“This led us to ask – does it still work for us? After deep reflection, the answer, sadly, is no.

“We’ve had the privilege of watching generations grow, celebrating precious life milestones, sharing joys and deepest sorrows.

“Being part of people’s stories has been beyond a privilege – more than some may ever know.

“They’ve always been more than just customers – they’ve become wonderful friends.”

Ginger is one of the city’s oldest businesses and loyal customers rushed to share their praise.

“You will be missed! Sending hugs,” one wrote.

Another commented with a sad face emoji.

Dozens of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets.

One of these include Smiggle, known for its colourful, quirky pens, lunchboxes and school bags, which revealed it is shutting up shop at the Darwin Centre in Shrewsbury.

Meanwhile, family business B.D Price, a beloved toy and bike store in Dudley, West Midlands, announced its closure after 160 years.

The 84-year-old owner blamed the cost of living crisis for a drop in sales and the costs of running the business skyrocketing.

Rising living costs leaving shoppers with less cash to spend and an increase in online shopping have battered retailers in recent years.

In some cases, landlords are either unwilling or unable to invest in keeping shops open, further speeding up the closures.

Smiggle isn’t the only stationary shop shutting its doors, more WHSmiths stores are set to close this month.

Sports Direct axed its Newmarket Road store in Cambridge on April 18 while Red Menswear in Chatham in Medway, Kent, shut for the final time on March 29 after selling men’s clothing since 1999.

AN AWARD-WINNING pub has been forced to close after opening its doors just two years ago. 

The luxury eatery was voted as the best pub in the Midlands and even were finalists for the best Desi grill of the year 2024.

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The Emerald in Nottingham offered a huge range of Indian dishes and had become a thriving community hub. 

The pub doubled as a sports bar, attracting both hungry diners and football fans – in what the owners have described as a “cultural space” and a “labour of love”. 

However, after being open for just two years, The Emerald has been forced to shut its doors for good. 

The eatery has battled with soaring costs, as well as crushing internal pressures. 

Announcing its closure on Facebook, The Emerald issued a lengthy and emotional post in which it thanked its loyal fan base. 

A spokesperson for the pub said: “The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was an Indian pub, a cultural space, and a labour of love that aimed to bring something different to our community. 

“We will forever hold dear the memories, the celebrations, and the friendships that were forged within its walls.

“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your unwavering support. It has meant everything to us.”

Fans flooded the comment section of the post, sharing their incredible stories and experiences from their trips to the pub. 

One Facebook user wrote: “Very saddened to hear this and we always loved Emerald, it was more like home for us and will be missed. 

“Thank you for all the lovely food and memories we have created at Emerald specially watching cricket and more importantly India winning the world cup. 

“All the very best team Emerald for future!!”

Another shared: “Such sad news always made me and my family very welcome thank you for what you have tried to do.”

However, in its Facebook post, The Emerald detailed internal pressures which had contributed to its closure – which is scheduled to take place on May 31. 

A spokesperson for the pub detailed how the departure of a business partner had created “emotional, financial and operational” strain which affected the “day-to-day running of the pub”. 

The spokesperson also pointed to soaring costs as a major factor behind the closure of the pub. 

They wrote: “Rising costs—including a significant increase in barrel prices, rent, and business rates—have placed a substantial financial burden on us, ultimately making the business unsustainable.

 “Although we explored the possibility of selling the business to enable someone else to carry on what we began, we were unable to move forward due to conditions and restrictions that were beyond our control.

“More broadly, the current economic climate and policy environment have created immense pressures for small businesses, making it increasingly difficult for independent establishments like ours to survive.”

Many other businesses have faced closure, just like The Emerald.

Some businesses have laid the blame at the door of Rachel Reeves – arguing that her decision to increase National Insurance contributions and minimum wage have raised the cost of running a business.

However, The Chancellor has argued that her decisions were necessary to stabilise the economy that she inherited from the Conservatives. 

In April 2025, the economy grew by 0.5% though Labour have said that they want to go even further with boosting economic growth. 

Other businesses, including the luxury restaurant La Goccia, have blamed “Covid” and “Brexit” for leading to their closure. 

The business told the Telegraph that they were unable to “recruit people with the right experience and skills” after Britain left the EU.

A BELOVED department chain is preparing to shut its final store this month as it launches a “Rachel Reeves closing down sale.”

The famous shop will be shuttering forever after serving customers on the high street for 140 years.

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Beales in the Dolphin Centre in Poole will close on May 31 and is slashing the price of stock by 80 per cent in the meantime.

The historic chain was founded in Bournemouth in 1881 and offers a range of iconic products, including clothing, home goods, and more.

This particular Poole Beales branch was the last one standing when the company collapsed into administration in January 2020, leading to the closure of its 22 other stores.

Despite the stores resilience, the brutal budget introduced last year saw the hike of National Insurance which has forced countless shops to close.

To mark the occasions, the store’s Facebook page is advertising a “Rachel Reeves‘ Closing Down Sale,” featuring discounts of up to 80% and a caption cheekily thanking the Chancellor for “the help.”

It wrote in the caption: “Our closing sale is almost over (cheers for the help, Chancellor) – and we’ve just dropped hundreds of lines to 80% OFF or more!

“Grab a bargain before we vanish into the budget black hole. #FinalSale #80Off #LastChance #WhenItsGoneItsGone.”

Despite weathering the storm for the past five years, it seems the Chancellor’s latest Budget changes have delivered the final blow to the struggling chain.

Beales chief executive Tony Brown previously told The Telegraph the business had become “unviable” following the Chancellor’s announcement of increases to the minimum wage and national insurance contributions in the October Budget.

Announcing the closure, Mr Brown said: “This, combined with the risks and uncertainty of further tax increases in the coming years, has left us with no alternative.

“We have been working with the Dolphin Centre, who have been supportive, along with our investors to ensure an orderly exit.

“Our team has been informed, as have our suppliers.

“We will ensure the exit is managed and no one will be left with a financial loss.”

Shoppers were left heartbroken by the news of the store’s impending closure, with one commenting on the latest post: “I’ve loved shopping here over the years.”

Another wrote: “Sadly this is happening to many shops.”

Like many businesses, Beales now faces higher employer national insurance contributions, which have risen from 13.8% to 15%.

Additionally, the threshold at which these contributions must be paid has been lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.

These changes to the tax system were confirmed by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget last October and came into effect on 1 April.

At the same time, the national minimum wage saw a notable increase, rising to £12.21 per hour. For workers aged 18-20, the minimum wage increased by £1.40 to £10 per hour.

Founded in 1881, Beales once boasted a proud portfolio of 41 department stores in market towns across the UK, offering everything from furniture and fashion to toys and cosmetics.

The retailer’s decline has been gradual but unrelenting.

Its Southport store was shuttered last September, just three years after the site had reopened.

With the closure of the Poole branch, the last remaining link to the Beales name, a once-iconic fixture of the British high street, will vanish forever.

DEATH OF THE HIGH STREET

Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.

The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.

At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.

Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.

Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.

“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”