More than a third of post offices operating within TG Jones stores are facing closure, according to Post Office records reviewed by the Guardian. As of the reporting date, 36 branches have already shut down, with an additional 34 set to cease operations by early 2027. The private equity firm Modella acquired and rebranded the chain, formerly known as WH Smith, and received creditor approval for its restructuring plan in July.
The scale of closures is exceeding earlier expectations. When restructuring plans were initially announced, analysts anticipated as many as 60 post office closures. However, current figures indicate the situation is more severe. Of the 450 stores acquired by Modella, approximately 150 are expected to close overall, including roughly 70 that contain post offices. Several major population centers face significant service reductions, with towns such as Stevenage, Bracknell, Orpington, Hull, Telford and York each losing two or more post offices within a compressed timeframe. Entire regions including Essex, the West Midlands, Wales, Suffolk and Hertfordshire have been particularly affected.
The widespread closures raise concerns about access to essential services in affected communities. Many of the closed locations previously replaced crown post offices, which offered comprehensive services including identity verification, passport processing and banking operations. Business groups have warned that lost post office access could threaten the viability of small and medium-sized enterprises, with research indicating that roughly a third of such businesses visit local branches weekly. The Post Office is attempting to secure alternative operators for affected locations, though replacement efforts have proceeded slowly.
The TG Jones closures coincide with a separate announcement that 52 post offices within Morrisons Daily convenience stores are also closing. Union representatives have warned that these combined closures risk creating “postal deserts” in certain areas, characterizing the situation as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy with limited consideration for community impact. Post Office leadership has stated it is actively seeking postmasters to operate replacements and claims to have received interest for every confirmed closure location.
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