{
  "id": 16289641,
  "title": "More than third of post offices in TG Jones stores to shut by early 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/more-than-third-of-post-offices-in-tg-jones-stores-to-shut-by-early",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-24T06:00:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/24/more-than-third-of-post-offices-in-tg-jones-stores-to-shut-by-early-2027"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More than three-quarters of the post offices within TG Jones stores, formerly known as WH Smith, are set to close by early 2027, raising concerns of high streets becoming \"postal deserts.\" This wave of closures follows an announcement in the summer that 52 post offices in Morrisons Daily convenience stores would also shut, some of which are near TG Jones sites. Towns such as Stevenage, Bracknell, Orpington, Hull and York are losing two post offices in a matter of months, with Telford's last one expected to close in January. Six post offices in TG Jones stores in Essex are closing, including Clacton-on-Sea and Brentwood. The closures come as part of Modella's plan to shut about 65 of the 450 stores acquired by Modella, which include 110 announced closures. The Post Office is working to replace every branch within a TG Jones store that closes, but concerns remain over the impact on local economies and small businesses that rely on post office services.",
  "summary": "Closures within chain formerly under the WH Smith brand raise fears of high streets becoming ‘postal deserts’ Towns and even city centres face being left as “postal deserts” after it emerged that more than a third of post offices within the troubled TG Jones chain are closing. So far this year 36 branches within the high street chain formerly known as WH Smith have closed and a further 34 are set…",
  "key_points": [
    "More than three-quarters of TG Jones post offices to close by early 2027",
    "Six post offices in Essex closing, including Clacton-on-Sea and Brentwood",
    "Modella plans to shut 65 of 450 stores, replacing branches within TG Jones stores"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}