The high street has been dealt a fresh blow as a major high street retailer is to bid farewell to two hugely popular stores following a string of closures.
WHSmith will close its Haverhill branch permanently on April 26, 2025, and its Newtown store later this year.
A “disappointed” spokesperson for WHSmith explained the decision, citing the forthcoming lease expiry as a primary factor.
“It is no longer sustainable to continue to trade from this location and the decision has been taken to close the store as a result of the forthcoming lease expiry.
“We are disappointed to be losing our presence in Haverhill, and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.
“We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in-store colleagues who we will support with this transition and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”
The Newtown store is set to close in late February 2025. This is a crushing blow to Newtown locals as the branch has long been a staple in the town’s high street, having first opened in 1927.
Gill Bridgwater, manager of Bear Lanes Shopping Centre, expressed her disappointment on social media, writing: “WHSmith will be going at the end of February.
“Our town centres are very important to our communities, and local people supporting these businesses is vital, plus encouraging tourism too.”
The stationary giant has become a victim of the changing high street. The rise of online shopping has changed the way we shop, causing more shuttered buildings to sit empty on our high streets.
The Centre for Retail Research estimates that 8,543 retail outlets across the UK shuttered their doors in 2024.
Since March 2023, WHSmith has bid farewell to numerous sites. However, it’s not all bad news, as retail bosses confirmed opening 15 new sites next year, 2026.
Rather than taking high street units, fresh WHSmith sites will be targeted in travel hubs like airports and train stations. In a fresh vision for the brand, some sites will even serve hot food and coffee—a slight upgrade from its current meal deal offering.