Business & Technology
‘WH Smith’ chain rescue comes with ‘considerable risks’
“This has all the hallmarks of an adventurous equity play,” wrote Mr Justice Hildyard in his judgment published yesterday after he last month approved the restructuring, which involves the closure of 150 of the books-to-paperclips retailer’s 450 stores.
He added that the group’s turnaround plans “might strike the sceptic as more in the nature of generic aspirations than concrete grounds for confidence in a successful outcome”.
The chain includes numerous former WH Smith branches across Oxfordshire.
These include stores in Cornmarket, Oxford, and in Witney, Abingdon, Chipping Norton, Didcot, Wantage and Banbury. The takeover came into effect a year ago.
READ MORE: Major high street retailer could collapse
“The execution risk is very considerable,” Mr Justice Hildyard said, indicating the £3m valuation of the company – compared with its acquisition value of about £40m only a year before – reflected the potential for high losses as well as high profits.
The retailer, which until recently employed about 5,000 staff, was bought last year by Modella Capital, the private equity firm which is also behind Hobbycraft and owned the UK arm of jewellery retailer Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop until they collapsed earlier this year.
It recently bought Flying Tiger, the Danish retailer known for its cut-price homewares, craft kits and notebooks, which operates about 1,000 stores worldwide.
The original owner of WH Smith continues to operate stores in airports, hospitals and railway stations, so Modella quickly rebranded the high street stores as TG Jones.
Sales quickly fell back after the deal, and Modella had warned it could have to call in administrators if the restructuring plan, which involves writing off debts to suppliers and cutting rent for many landlords, was not approved.
The judge approved the plan despite his scepticism about potential success, because Modella had put up new investment to turn it around.
Alex Willson, the chief executive of TG Jones, said last month that approval of the plan “allows us to move ahead with our turnaround strategy”.
“The plan protects the substantial core of the store estate and makes TG Jones a stronger, more sustainable business,” he said.
Court approval was needed for what is known as a “cram down” scheme, as many classes of creditor who would lose money under the scheme rejected it. The model allows courts, in certain circumstances, to impose a restructuring on dissenting classes of creditors.
Fewer than a third of general creditors, who include card makers and pen brands, agreed to the plan and no landlords owning unwanted stores – where rent will be cut to zero or closed – backed the plan.
Small suppliers, such as toy makers, were set to lose at least half the money owed to them by the former WH Smith high street chain under the restructure.
Business & Technology
B&Q issues urgent recall for popular heatwave item amid 'electric shock' warning
B&Q has issued an urgent recall for one of its popular heatwave items after warning of ‘electric shock and fire’.
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Nisa Local, which first opened in Botley Road in November, can now be extended after a Planning Inspector overturned Oxford City Council’s rejection.
The proposal is for a steel security shutter and a single-storey rear extension, which would provide more space for new services such as an Evri and two more Cook frozen meal freezers.
The Costa Coffee self-service machine is hoped to be on the front of the shop and will provide more floor space for Bake & Bite and the Oxford-based Natural Bread Company.
Oxford City Council refused permission in March arguing the extension would harm the character and appearance of the property.
However, planning inspector Alexander O’Doherty concluded the impact on the wider area would be limited because the extension would be largely hidden at the rear from public view.
In his decision issued on July 23, the inspector acknowledged that the extension would have some harmful effect on the appearance of the building itself, but said the benefits outweighed that harm.
The inspector noted the shop is “clearly lacking in storage space” and said the additional floor area would help it better serve local residents.
The decision also referenced numerous representations from supporters, with the inspector saying these lent “considerable credence” to the benefits of the scheme.
He added that providing these services within a residential area would encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport by reducing the need for residents to travel elsewhere by car.
Grumpys Sweet Shop in Fettiplace Road, which operated as a cafe and collectibles shop until it became a sweet shop in 2023, has announced it will close by the end of August.
A statement from the team behind the shop said the ‘difficult decision’ was taken with a ‘heavy heart’.
The final day trading would be Friday, August 28.
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The statement said: “This hasn’t been a decision we’ve taken lightly.
“Like so many families and small businesses, we’ve felt the impact of the rising cost of living, and the increasing costs of running a business have made things more challenging than ever.
“On top of that, our current lease has came to an end.
“Renewing it would mean committing to another seven years, and after a great deal of thought, we’ve decided that this is the right time for us to close this chapter.
“While we’re incredibly sad to say goodbye, we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we close.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire postcode wins big in Postcode Lottery draw
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Grumpy’s Sweet Shop so much more than just a business.
“You turned it into a place filled with smiles, laughter, and wonderful memories that we’ll treasure forever.”
The owners added that ‘everything you see in the shop’ is now for sale, and offers will be considered for all fittings and displays.
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