The TG Jones store in Sutton Coldfield’s Gracechurch Centre, formerly WHSmith, is set to close on Saturday 9 January 2027, bringing another change to the town’s retail landscape.
The branch, situated at 140–142 The Parade, is among approximately 150 stores affected by the retailer’s nationwide restructuring programme.
For generations of shoppers, WHSmith was a familiar destination for books, newspapers, magazines, stationery and much more. Although the store was rebranded TG Jones following the sale of WHSmith’s high street business in 2025, many local residents will still know it by its former name.
What Happens to the Post Office?
One of the most significant consequences of the closure concerns the Post Office operating within the store.
The Sutton Coldfield branch provides a range of services, including postal services, everyday banking, bill payments and other essential transactions.
Post Office representatives have confirmed that they are considering expressions of interest from potential replacement operators.
However, establishing a replacement branch could take approximately six months, meaning residents may face a period without a Post Office in the town centre.
The precise closure date for the existing Post Office has yet to be finalised.
Alternative branches identified by the Post Office include Reddicap Heath, Whitehouse Common, Boldmere and Falcon Lodge.
Residents are advised to check individual branch opening hours and available services before travelling.
Part of a Nationwide Restructuring
TG Jones was established following the acquisition of WHSmith’s UK high street business by Modella Capital in 2025.
The company subsequently embarked on a major restructuring programme, approved by the High Court in July 2026, involving the closure of up to 150 stores.
The Sutton Coldfield closure forms part of that programme.
TG Jones has acknowledged the disappointment the decision will cause and stated that supporting affected employees remains a priority.
The company’s Tamworth store at Ventura Retail Park is also scheduled to close, on 9 October 2026.
A Familiar Name in Sutton Coldfield
For many local people, WHSmith was much more than somewhere to buy a newspaper or a birthday card.
It was a regular stop during a shopping trip, somewhere to browse the latest books, pick up a magazine or stock up on stationery.
For those who grew up visiting the town centre, the name WHSmith became part of the familiar shopping landscape.
The forthcoming closure also carries a personal connection for What’s On In Sutton Coldfield.
Our photographer and editor, Nigel Gambles, previously worked for WHSmith in Birmingham and regularly covered shifts at the Sutton Coldfield branch.
Having spent time working in the store, the announcement brings back memories of a business that was once a fixture of British high streets.
Its closure marks another chapter in the changing story of Sutton Coldfield’s town centre.
A Personal Connection
For our editor Nigel Gambles, the closure is particularly poignant. Having worked for WHSmith in Birmingham and regularly covered shifts at the Sutton Coldfield branch, he remembers the store from an era when the Gracechurch Centre was a bustling part of everyday town life.
The familiar WHSmith frontage was a fixture of the shopping centre for generations, and its transformation into TG Jones marked another chapter in the changing face of Sutton Coldfield’s retail landscape.
The forthcoming closure brings that chapter to an end.
What Happens Next?
The store is expected to continue trading until January, with the Post Office working to secure replacement premises.
For residents, the priority will be maintaining convenient access to essential postal services, particularly for those who rely on the town centre branch.
What’s On In Sutton Coldfield will continue to follow developments, including any announcement concerning a replacement Post Office.
Further information: TG Jones and Post Office branch information.
The closure details, company statement and Post Office arrangements are reported in the local coverage, with current branch information available from the official retailer and Post Office websites.
