TG Jones seeks court approval to close 150 stores
TG Jones, formerly WH Smith, is seeking court approval to close 150 stores as part of a restructuring plan to avoid administration.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
TG Jones, the high street chain formerly known as WH Smith, is in the High Court in London seeking approval for a restructuring plan that would close 150 stores. The plan also includes shutting a number of post office branches housed inside some of its shops. The company says the move is vital to avoid administration.
The business was sold last year by WH Smith, which kept its travel stores and the brand name. The high street arm was rebranded as TG Jones under its new owner, Medela Capital. It now has around 450 stores and employs 4,700 people. But less than a year after the sale, Medela Capital is pushing through a radical restructuring, which it says is essential for survival.
Without court approval, TG Jones faces administration. The company would have run out of cash in April had it not been able to defer its liabilities and secure a £10 million loan from Medela. It now faces a cash shortfall of nearly £8 million by the end of this week. Trading has been very poor, and the new owners blame challenging retail conditions. The name change has not helped either.
Creditors have already voted on the proposals. There has been some support, but considerable opposition, particularly from landlords. The judge must now decide whether the plan is fair. The key test is whether creditors would be no worse off than they would be if the chain went into administration.
The outcome of the hearing is expected later today. If approved, the closures will begin in the coming months, affecting staff and local communities across the UK.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| TG Jones is seeking court approval to close 150 stores, including some post office branches. | |
| The company would have run out of cash in April without a £10 million loan and deferred liabilities. | |
| The judge must decide whether the proposals are fair, specifically whether creditors are no worse off than in administration. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC One West focused on the legal proceedings and the financial urgency of the situation. The report framed the court hearing as a make-or-break moment, highlighting the cash shortfall and the risk of administration. The tone was explanatory and neutral, with the business correspondent providing context about the sale, rebranding, and the judge's role in deciding fairness.
- “This does feel like a make or break moment for this change”
- “if it doesn't get these plans away TG Jones faces administration”
- “it now faces a cash shortfall of nearly £8 million by the end of this week”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.