More than third of post offices in TG Jones stores to shut by early 2027

Up to 150 of the 450 stores acquired by the private equity firm Modella are expected to shut. Of the 110 announced closures, 70 contained, or contain, post offices. Photograph: Michael Kemp/Alamy

Towns and even city centres face being left as “postal deserts” after it emerged that more than a third of post offices within the troubled TG Jones chain are closing.

So far this year 36 branches within the high street chain formerly known as WH Smith have closed and a further 34 are set to close by early 2027, according to Post Office records analysed by the Guardian.