TG Jones and Whitbread Close Hundreds of UK Sites
TG Jones and Whitbread are closing hundreds of stores and restaurants across the United Kingdom as part of separate restructuring and growth strategies.
Two major UK businesses are executing large-scale closures to ensure long-term viability. TG Jones, the rebranded former WH Smith chain, closed 19 stores in September following a High Court-approved restructuring plan to avoid insolvency. The company's wider strategy may lead to as many as 150 closures across its 450-store estate. This turnaround effort is supported by a £15 million loan from Modella Capital and negotiated rent reductions for landlords.
CEO Alex Willson described the plan as a way to create a more sustainable business. Legal representative Tom Smith KC attributed the company's difficulties to inflation, rising operating costs, a long-term decline in sales, the shift toward online shopping, and a negative reaction to the rebranding process.
Separately, Whitbread has closed 195 restaurant sites, including all Beefeater and Brewers Fayre locations. This move is part of a five-year growth strategy intended to save £250 million. The company plans to sell £1.5 billion in freehold properties and convert some of the closed sites into Premier Inn rooms. The restructure puts approximately 3,800 jobs at risk, though Whitbread stated it intends to redeploy as many impacted colleagues as possible.
