The owner, Modella Capital, is said to be undertaking a major restructuring of the former WHSmith high street business.

The private equity firm acquired WHSmith’s high street bookshop and newsagent estate last year and rebranded it as TG Jones.

They are now understood to be drawing up plans aimed at avoiding a potential collapse of the business.

According to RetailGazette , the restructuring would affect around 100 of the chain’s 480 shops, while keeping approximately 400 branches trading if landlords agree to rent reductions.

I’m sorry I’ve just found out WHSmiths is leaving the High Street like it’s one of my favourite shops.. I feel sick 😭

— Amber 💙🖤 Saw Nsp! (@BayleafAvidan) July 1, 2025

The plans follow the expiry of a 12-month moratorium on closures that was agreed as part of the acquisition from WHSmith in 2025.

WHSmith retained its travel business, which operates from locations such as railway stations and airports.

Modella is said to be working with professional services firm Teneo and law firm Slaughter and May on the proposal.

The business is reportedly considering using a legal mechanism known as a “cram-down”, which can allow a restructuring plan to be pushed through with the approval of one class of creditors and the High Court, even if other creditors object.

Secure Trust, which is understood to have provided a £50m loan to support the acquisition, is expected to play a key role in negotiations.

Newsquest has contacted Modella Capital for comment.

When did WHSmith get taken over?

The potential closures come less than a year after Modella completed the purchase of WHSmith’s high street arm, which included 464 stores across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks.

At the time of the deal, the business generated an annual turnover of more than £400m and EBITDA of £41.2m in WHSmith’s 2024 financial year.

However, the retailer is reported to have struggled since the rebrand to TG Jones, with some sites that temporarily kept the WHSmith name said to have performed better than those operating under the new fascia.

The business had previously set out ambitions to grow the estate to more than 500 stores and position TG Jones as a “hub of the high street”.

Which stores are at risk?

Stores understood to be at risk include locations in Swindon, Chippenham, Oxford, Ipswich, Hampshire and North Wales.

The TG Jones branch in Stirling is also expected to close in July after its lease renewal failed.

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The restructuring would mark a significant reversal for Modella’s plans for the chain and comes as mid-market high street retailers continue to face pressure from rising costs, weaker consumer demand and changing shopping habits.

Modella has also been rationalising parts of its wider retail portfolio, with recent closures across other businesses it owns blamed on difficult trading conditions and increased operating costs.

Do you miss WHSmith? Let us know which stores you miss from UK high streets

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Cezanne has appointed Julie Lally as Chief Product Officer, adding a senior product role as the HR and payroll software company expands its leadership team.

Lally will lead product strategy, innovation and delivery across the platform, working with the leadership team on its direction. The newly created role comes as Cezanne looks to develop its HR and payroll offering in response to changing customer and workplace needs.

She joins with more than 25 years of experience in payroll and HR technology, having held senior roles at Zellis, ADP, MHR, Mitrefinch, Advanced and Ciphr. Her background spans product, growth and commercial roles in a sector reshaped by demand for more integrated systems and simpler user experiences.

Among her best-known achievements is the design and delivery of what Cezanne described as the world’s first real-time payroll solution. It is presenting that track record as a sign of how it wants to develop its own platform as employers seek closer links between HR administration and payroll processing.

Lally began her career in payroll operations and later spent more than a decade as a tutor with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals. That grounding gives her direct experience of a function that remains heavily regulated and central to workforce management.

Growth stage

The hire comes at what Cezanne describes as an important stage in its development. Based in London, with an office in Glasgow, the company sells HR software covering recruitment, onboarding, core HR administration, surveys, performance management and succession planning, alongside payroll software and managed payroll services for UK companies.

The HR and payroll software market has become increasingly competitive as employers look for systems that can manage the full employee lifecycle while reducing manual work for HR teams. Providers are also under pressure to keep products aligned with changes in working patterns, employee expectations, and the compliance demands attached to payroll and people data.

By creating a Chief Product Officer role, Cezanne is placing greater emphasis on senior product leadership. Such appointments have become more common across software companies as boards seek closer oversight of how products are designed, prioritised and delivered.

The move also brings in an executive with a long record in payroll, an area often treated as adjacent to HR software rather than fully integrated with it. That distinction has narrowed in recent years as employers seek joined-up systems combining workforce data, pay administration and employee services.

Simon Noble, Cezanne’s Chief Executive, linked the hire to the company’s next stage of growth and its plans for the platform.

“Bringing someone of Julie’s calibre and experience into the senior team is a significant moment for Cezanne HR. We are at a pivotal point in our growth, with real ambition for what our platform can achieve for HR teams and the organisations they support.”

“Julie’s combination of deep domain knowledge, hands-on product leadership and genuine understanding of what customers need gives us exactly the right foundation to move forward with confidence. Her track record of delivering innovation that makes a tangible difference to people’s working lives is precisely what this role demands, and I’m delighted to welcome her to the business,” said Noble.

Lally said she was joining the company at an important point in its development, highlighting the challenge of balancing customer expectations with internal product development.

“It’s a real privilege to be joining Cezanne at such an important stage in its journey. There is a strong sense of responsibility that comes with the role, given the expectations of both our customers and our people, alongside the impressive platform and passion for innovation across the business. It’s very clear, Cezanne has a genuine commitment to doing things the right way – evolving the product thoughtfully while staying true to its values. I’m excited about what lies ahead and very much looking forward to being part of the next chapter in Cezanne’s product evolution,” said Lally.

Fans of Marks & Spencer are being given a fresh reason to browse this week, as the high street giant launches a new summer campaign with a viral twist.

Fronted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, the “Summer of Love That” collection is already generating buzz online, with shoppers eyeing up affordable pieces ahead of the warm-weather season.

The summer fashion drop shoppers are watching

The new collection officially lands May 7, featuring lightweight staples and trend-led pieces designed for everyday wear.

The full M&S fashion collection is here, but key items include:

• Linen contrast waistcoat – £40
• Matching mini skirt – £30
• Kitten heel court shoes – £30
• White T-shirt – £9
• Red cap – £13

The focus is on easy summer outfits at high street prices, with mix-and-match pieces aimed at holidays, weekends and casual days out.

To launch the range, M&S has created “Casa del Compliments”, a playful, hotel-style concept where confidence and style take centre stage.

Amelia Dimoldenberg steps in as the “general manager”, bringing her signature humour across social media and a live fashion show streamed on YouTube and Instagram.

The event includes:

• Pre-show build-up from 7:15pm
• Live runway show at 7:30pm
• Live shopping from 7:45pm

Shoppers can watch and buy pieces in real time as they appear on screen.

Fronted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, M&S has a new “Summer of Love That” collection (Image: M&S)

Why it’s getting attention

The campaign builds on the success of M&S’s earlier “Love That” ads, which ranked among the top-performing fashion campaigns globally and pulled in millions of views.

With a mix of:

• influencer-led content
• live shopping
• affordable pricing

The retailer is tapping into the growing trend of social-first shopping experiences.

What it means for shoppers

Fronted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, M&S has a new “Summer of Love That” collection (Image: M&S)

For those looking to refresh their wardrobe, the collection offers:

• budget-friendly summer staples
• on-trend coordinated outfits
• instant access via livestream shopping

And with social media teasers already rolling out, some pieces are expected to attract strong demand.

Fronted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, M&S has a new “Summer of Love That” collection (Image: M&S)

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Who is Amelia Dimoldenberg?

Amelia Dimoldenberg is a British presenter, comedian and internet personality best known for her viral YouTube series Chicken Shop Date, where she interviews celebrities in fried chicken shops with a deliberately awkward, deadpan style.

Alongside her online work, she has appeared on television, including taking part in charity specials such as Stand Up To Cancer episodes of Bake Off.

Known for her sharp humour and unique interviewing style, Amelia has become one of the UK’s most recognisable digital creators and is now fronting major campaigns and media projects beyond YouTube.