WHSmith and Homebasehave announced store closures set to take place in March and April, impacting high streets across the country. The closures come as both brands restructure their operations in response to shifting consumer habits and economic challenges.
Despite a recent turnaround deal that saved 70 stores and around 1,600 jobs, Homebase is closing 18 locations this month. However, in a positive development, the home and garden retailer plans to open 14 new stores across the UK next month, alongside five additional outlets within Range stores.
The Homebase stores confirmed to be closing in March include:
Farnham, Surrey
Treliske Industrial Estate, Truro, Devon
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Bracknell, Berkshire
Letterkenny, County Donegal
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Halbeath Retail Park, Dunfermline, Fife
Moor Allerton Centre, Leeds, Yorkshire
St Albans, Hertfordshire
Bredbury, Stockport
Ewell, Surrey
Heath Retail Park, Honiton, Devon
Catford, London
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Orpington, Kent
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Omagh, County Tyrone
Londonderry
WHSmith is set to close 20 of its high street stores in the coming weeks as it shifts focus towards its more profitable travel outlets in airports and train stations. The retailer has already closed several locations in early 2024 and is continuing its downsizing efforts.
WHSmith has cited declining high street footfall and increasing costs as key reasons for its decision. Among the upcoming closures is the Doncaster branch in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre, which has been trading for 57 years.
The full list of WHSmith stores confirmed for closure includes:
Halstead, Essex – Closing in April
Halesowen, West Midlands – Closing in April
Diss, Norfolk – Closing in April
Newport, Wales – Closing in April
Haverhill, Suffolk – Closing on April 26
Woolwich – Closing in April
Stockton, County Durham – Closing in May
Oldham, Greater Manchester – Closing in May
West Mall, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster – Closing on May 31
Orpington, Greater London – Closing date to be confirmed
Earlier closures included branches in Bournemouth, Luton, Cambridgeshire, Basingstoke, Long Eaton, Newtown, Rhyl, Bolton, Accrington, and Winton in Bournemouth.
