WH Smith set to disappear from Durham as plans submitted
An application has been submitted to replace the existing sign at the Market Place shop with a new one that reads ‘TG Jones’.
It comes after WH Smith agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital in March, in a move that will see all its high street shops rebranded.
All 480 of the books and stationary retailer’s high street stores, which employ around 5,000 people, were included in the sale for £76 million.
WH Smith said the move will allow it to focus on its growing travel shops business.
The WH Smith brand was not included in the sale to Modella and the high street shops will now be rebranded to TG Jones as a result.
Current signage of the Durham shop, which features the familiar blue vinyl background with white lettering, will be replaced with an identical TG Jones sign.
The building, a mid-terrace Grade II listed unit, is situated within the Durham conservation area.
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Application forms, submitted by Neil Corrick on behalf of WH Smith from Swindon, state the new sign will respect the heritage character of the area by replicating existing design elements.
A submission, signed on May 27, is currently being processed by Durham County Council.
The application notes no consultation with neighbours or the local community was undertaken prior to submission.