Post Office could lose 60 branches in high street closures of 1 major chain

Dozens of Post Office branches could shutter for good as part of restructuring plans, it has been reported. Around 480 WHSmith stores were bought by private equity group Modella Capital last year to create TG Jones. The deal left WH Smith PLC free to continue its physical retail presence primarily through travel-focused stores in airports, railway stations, hospitals and motorway service areas.

The TG Jones rebrand came after WHSmith's high street stores struggled in recent years, with chiefs finally opting to offload them in June 2025, and concentrate on the more profitable parts of their business. TG Jones operates around 450 stores and around 180 post offices, located within branches.

Plans to put the chain on a more "sustainable" footing were announced earlier this month after a period of tough trading, less than a year Modella took the high street shops over.

A Modella spokesperson told BBC News at the time that no decisions had been taken on how any closures would affect jobs, and that it was aiming to protect as many as possible.

"We want to be clear, however, that the plan may result in the closure of some stores and the loss of some roles," they said. "We recognise the impact this uncertainty will have on colleagues, their families and the communities we serve."

The announcement laid out plans to turn the brand's fortunes around without revealing how many stores could be axed, but Modella has confirmed eight stores will definitely close, including seven with a Post Office in them.

Their proposal recommends reducing rents on dozens of branches, but landlords are expected to recall their leases on the stores rather than shoulder the burden of slashing rents, The Guardian reports.

As a result, up to 150 of TG Jones 450-store estate are thought to be at risk of closure. It's understood that Modella is also hoping to change contracts with the Post Office that will make closing the mail-delivery outlets within its stores easier. It is understood that as many as 60 Post Offices could shutter under the plans.

Modella is reported to be aiming to move affected Post Office branches into the stores of another business it owns, like arts and crafts chain Hobbycraft.

But The Telegraph reported this week that no final decisions have been made, and while a store-closure programme is one option on the table, consultants are expected to weigh up alternative solutions. Creditors will vote on the plan in June.

Modella declined to comment when approached about potential Post Office closures.

A Post Office spokesperson said the state-owned corporation fully recognises the "challenging trading conditions that TG Jones and many other high street retailers are facing at the moment".

“It’s regrettable that following the restructuring plan announcement by TG Jones on May 7, a small number of Post Office branches inside TG Jones stores will close in the coming months. We are working hard to find locations nearby to continue offering Post Office services.

“We have a longstanding partnership with TG Jones and we know that post offices drive significant footfall to the high street."

The Post Office said it will continue to "work closely with TG Jones to understand what impact the restructuring plan could have on other stores that host post offices and are potentially at risk of closure".

It also said it will also continue to support the many branches within TG Jones branches that aren't impacted by the announced restructure plans.