The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has renewed its call for the chancellor to reduce the business rates burden on smaller retailers, as TG Jones prepares to close 19 stores this month as part of a wider programme to shut 150 outlets.
The closures come just 18 months after the former WHSmith stores were sold to Modella Capital and rebranded as TG Jones. Bira, which represents more than 6,000 independent retailers across the UK, said the latest closures highlight the cost pressures continuing to hit high street businesses.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said the development should serve as a warning to the government ahead of the chancellor's next Budget.
“This announcement is a stark reminder to the chancellor that he has to be bold in his support for high street businesses in his budget,” he said.
“The business cost of trading on the high street is too high. The chancellor has to correct the mistakes made at last year's budget and reduce the business rates burden for the smaller shops.”
The first of the latest closures has already taken place in Bath, with stores in Redcar, Redhill and Market Harborough also due to close this week.
Further TG Jones outlets are scheduled to close during September in towns including Cambridge, Swindon, Basildon and Southend-on-Sea, while the closure of the Maldon, Essex, store is planned for October.
Bira said the scale of the closures demonstrates that additional investment or new ownership alone cannot offset the wider costs facing high street retailers.
Goodacre also warned that the impact could extend beyond retail, with TG Jones stores having traditionally housed Post Office counters.
“It's not just shops that are being lost,” he said. “TG Jones stores nationwide have long hosted Post Office counters, and dozens of these are now at risk as part of the wider restructuring.”
“For many communities, that risks losing not just a retailer but an essential service too.”