TG Jones closures ‘a stark reminder’ about cost pressures facing high street retail - Bira

The British Independent retailers association has issued a fresh warning to the Chancellor over business rates.

The association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK said the closures were a reminder that even well-funded new ownership cannot overcome the wider cost pressures facing high street retail.

The trade body's comments come as TG Jones, formerly WHSmith, closes 19 stores this month as part of a wider plan to shut 150 of its 450 shops.

The news comes 18 months after the stores were sold to Modella Capital and rebranded, a move Bira had greeted with cautious optimism.

Andrew Goodacre, (pictured) CEO of Bira, said: "This announcement is a stark reminder to the Chancellor that he has to be bold in his support for high street businesses in his budget. The business cost of trading on the high street is too high.

“The Chancellor has to correct the mistakes made at last year's budget and reduce the business rates burden for the smaller shops."

The Bath store has already closed, with further closures due in Redcar, Redhill and Market Harborough this week, and more following throughout September in towns including Cambridge, Swindon, Basildon and Southend-on-Sea. A further closure in Maldon, Essex, is due in October.

Mr Goodacre added: “It's not just shops that are being lost. TG Jones stores nationwide have long hosted Post Office counters, and dozens of these are now at risk as part of the wider restructuring.

“For many communities, that risks losing not just a retailer but an essential service too.”