'Iconic' WHSmith set to disappear from Shrewsbury as new plans submitted

New owner Modella Capital immediately revealed plans to rename 500 UK High Street stores in the wake of the £76 million sale of the company earlier this year, marking the end of an era for WH Smith, which opened its first store in 1792.

Now Modella has lodged an application with Shropshire Council for new signage at the town's branch, which is set to become a TGJones in line with the new national brand.

The company has been based at Castle Street since the mid-1980s after it relocated from smaller premises on Castle Gates. The stationer has maintained a presence in the town since the early 1930s.

Speaking in March, the company said it had chosen the TGJones name because it carried "the same sense of family" as WH Smith, which it described as an "iconic" retail business. 

Modella Capital also owns one of the town's other major retail outlets, The Original Factory Shop, as well as a branch of Hobbycraft in Telford.

The plans for updated signage will be decided by Shropshire Council in due course, and documents can be viewed online at the council's planning portal using reference 25/02216/ADV.