We are delighted to have acquired one of the UK’s most iconic retail businesses, reiterating our strong belief in the future of the high street. The 464 WHSmith stores that form part of the deal are present in prime locations across many towns and cities across the country, and for more than two centuries have been an important feature in the UK retail landscape. Today, over one million customers visit these stores every week.

As part of the deal, the High Street stores will be rebranded as TGJones. They will keep the same products and services, including the Post Office and Toys “R” Us, and continue to trade as normal while Modella Capital works with the management team to define and execute a strategy to introduce new ranges and other service offerings in the future.

TGJones feels like a worthy successor to the WHSmith brand, carrying with it the same sense of family, given that these stores are at the heart of everyone’s high street. By combining TGJones’ heritage with fresh capital and strategic support, we are confident we can unlock sustainable growth and re-establish these stores as the hub of every high street they serve.

- Joseph Price, Managing Director at Modella