WHSmith brand set to VANISH from British high streets as firms place bids on 500 unwanted stores

THE WHSmith brand name looks set to vanish from British high streets after 230 years.

The retail giant is working to offload its entire high street estate in order to focus on its fast-growing travel business of shops in airports and train stations.

EPA

The company’s high street arm comprises roughly 500 stores, employing about 5,000 people across the country[/caption]

For several weeks, WHSmith has been in discussions with a range of potential buyers regarding the sale of its high street stores.

The process, overseen by Greenhill Investment Boutique, has attracted interest from investment firms Alteri and Modella Capital.

Both firms are experts in acquiring and reviving struggling retailers, with initial bids for WHSmith’s high street estate submitted last week.

Other potential buyers for the chain’s 500 high street stores include Hilco, the former owner of Homebase, and Doug Putman, the current owner of HMV.

However, according to The Times, it’s now understood that the sale of these stores will exclude the rights to the WHSmith brand name.

This means that even if all 500 stores are sold, the new owners will be required to operate them under a different name.

The iconic WHSmith name will remain exclusively associated with its travel-focused stores, located in train stations, airports, and other transit hubs.