WHSmith confirms ‘sad’ closure of much-loved high street store

WHSmith operates more than 1,100 travel and high street stores, but will soon lose one due to an unexpected store closure.

High street shoppers in Rhyl have expressed their deep disappointment at the impending closure of the local High Street store. In the Welsh seaside town centre, WHSmith’s doors will be closed for the final time in the new year.

It represents another crushing blow to locals, who have known for years that the branch is a fixture on the city’s main street.

According to reports from North Wales Live, the stationery chain has declared the store ‘no longer sustainable’, citing the impending lease as the main reason.

A spokesperson for WHSmith confirmed: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Rhyl will close on Saturday 15 February 2025.”

They added: “It is no longer sustainable to continue trading from this location and a decision has been made to close the store due to the impending lease.”

The coastal town has seen several shops and facilities disappear following the pandemic, and the news has stirred emotions among locals, many of whom have taken to social media to share their misery.

One person wrote on Facebook: “Such a shame. The main street of Rhyl has been destroyed.” A second recalled: “Spent many happy Friday afternoons there with my grandchildren choosing their books, so sad to see this.”

Another shopper said: “Aww, great memories of going upstairs to look through all the books. Rhyl is turning into a sad place.”

WHSmith has been a mainstay on the British high street since 1972, selling best-selling books, newspapers and stationery.

As WHSmith has expanded its presence at UK airports, train stations and motorway services, the retail giant closed a series of stores earlier this year, including one in Sale, Cheshire.

Several others have already closed, including the High Street branch in Slough, Berkshire. More will follow in 2025. In March, Cambridgeshire prepares to close its doors permanently in January.

As for shoppers in Rhyl, other notable store closures include health and beauty giant Boots. The pharmacy chain closed its Station Road branch in Colwyn Bay in April – just one of 300 closures nationally.

The store closure was preceded in March this year by the branch in Rhos-on-Sea.

In recent years Colwyn Bay has seen the closure of New Look, Peacocks, WHSmith, Poundland, Subway and Costcutter.