Solihull residents are feeling the impact as TGJones prepares to close its sole store in the town centre, which houses the only Post Office branch. The retailer’s outlet in Mell Square, featuring a Post Office and Toys ‘R’ Us, will shut on July 11 as part of a broader restructuring plan.
TGJones, which took over 464 WHSmith high street stores in 2025, announced the closure of at least eight branches nationwide less than a year after a multi-million-pound acquisition by Modella. This move effectively ends WHSmith’s 233-year presence on UK high streets under its original brand.
With the closure of the Mell Square store, the Solihull borough will be left with just one Post Office in Elmdon Heath, over a mile away from the town centre. Currently, TGJones operates around 180 Post Office branches across the country, but as many as 60 may close amid ongoing restructuring.
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Modella’s plan includes amending Post Office contracts to allow closures of outlets losing their leases with just 56 days' notice, sparking concerns about the emergence of “postal deserts” in some towns. The Post Office acknowledges the difficult conditions facing high street retailers.
Residents voiced their disappointment online. Bernie D commented on Nextdoor, “It’s crazy that a town centre the size of Solihull will no longer have a Post Office.” Helen Seymour added, “It’s very sad, as we don’t all prefer online shopping. This is another sign of the high street losing its role as the heart of the community.” Another local, Sarah T, described the closure as “another nail in the coffin for Solihull.”
A Post Office spokesperson told BirminghamLive that the importance of their services to the local community is well understood. “We have advertised the vacancy and would welcome interest from retailers wishing to host a Post Office branch,” they said, highlighting efforts to find a new location.
Residents seeking services can visit the alternative Post Office at Elmdon Heath, located at 54 Damson Lane, Solihull, B91 2RF.
BirminghamLive has reached out to TGJones for further comment.