Hundreds of Post Office branches at risk of closing following WH Smith update

Post Office branches across the country could be at risk of closure following WH Smith's plans to sell off what's left of its high street stores.

The retail group, which opened over 230 years ago, stated over the weekend that it hopes to sell off its stores although a potential buyer has not yet been revealed. Moreover, the possibility of complete closures could still be possible. The retailer operates over 1,100 stores nationwide and has already been subject to a number of location closures since 2023, with more planned throughout 2025.

Since 2006, the retailer has been in partnership with the Post Office, providing its services in close to 200 stores. However, the future of these operations is left uncertain with the Post Office confirming it's in contact with WH Smith to stay away of their plans.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports regarding WH Smith and are in contact with them to understand more about their plans for their High Street stores. We will remain in contact with them after their update to the market."

WH Smith currently employs around 5,000 people across the UK, whose current future is yet unclear with speculation that further details around a sale could be revealed in a statement to the London Stock Exchange this week. Despite the plans for a sale, the retailer's underlying pre-tax profits for the teax year was at £166 million, a sharp rise from the previous year of £143 million.

Despite a 2 per cent decrease in comparable sales, earnings held steady at £32m in its conventional high street business due to cost-cutting measures. WH Smith previously showed signs of concentrating the growth of its travel shops across North America, with around 60 new stores planned and proposals to