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Wed, 01 Jul 2026

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 Up to 150 ex-WHSmith High Street stores to close as rescue deal approved

The sweeping restructuring, approved by a court, will see steep rent cuts on most remaining stores.

* Up to 150 shops will close
* Steep rent cuts on most remaining stores, with some landlords receiving no rent for up to 3 years
* Rent will be cut by between 15% and 75% on hundreds of other stores
* Business expects to end up with 302 stores
* Over 4,700 workers employed in the business will be affected
* Modella Capital has been given approval by the High Court for the restructuring plan despite opposition from some landlords.