FabSwingers.com forum: Goodbye WH smiths

By *ackformore100 OP Man
17 weeks ago

Tin town

Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

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By *wist my nipplesCouple
17 weeks ago

North East Scotland, mostly

Sadly WH Smith’s has been very overpriced for years 🤷‍♀️

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By *avie65Man
17 weeks ago

In the west.

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good. "

I’m that old I can remember when it was called John Menzies.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
17 weeks ago

East Sussex

There are still two that I know of that are still open.

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

The whole high street is disappearing sad times

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By *ucka39Man
17 weeks ago

Newcastle

Still have 2 one on the main street in town and one in the shopping centre and maybe one closer

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By *inaTitzTV/TS
17 weeks ago

Titz Towers, North Notts

We all shop online for the convenience and the price, so it's humbug being sad when a shop we like goes.

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By *avie65Man
17 weeks ago

In the west.

"The whole high street is disappearing sad times "

And people say online shopping is great! 🤔

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

"The whole high street is disappearing sad times

And people say online shopping is great! 🤔"

Online shopping has its place for sure but even charity shops are closing down

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By *urvyLady4BlackMenWoman
17 weeks ago

Norwich

"We all shop online for the convenience and the price, so it's humbug being sad when a shop we like goes.

That's a sweeping assumption.A lot of people don't do their shopping online at all.

However if high street shops want to be around they do need to be affordable and offer products you actually want to buy.

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By *he MinionMan
17 weeks ago

My understanding is that WH Smith tend to own many of their properties.

With the decrease in footfall intontheir stores due to online and shopping centres, the high street in general is in decline. High business rates lower sales etc has put the company in the difficult position that some stores are going to jave to close and possibly the premisises sold.

Unfortunately, not many business are buying high street properties. "Pound" shops, charity shops and cash for gold shops are the high street staple unfortunately now

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By *ude LawMan
17 weeks ago

Harrogate

Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
17 weeks ago

East Sussex

Things change and whether we like it or not we have to change with them or do something to halt the changes.

WH Smith hasn't altered much in decades but customers have.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
17 weeks ago

East Sussex

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next."

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ...

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By *avie65Man
17 weeks ago

In the west.

"The whole high street is disappearing sad times

And people say online shopping is great! 🤔

Online shopping has its place for sure but even charity shops are closing down "

I very rarely shop online. I only do it if I can’t get it in a shop with a 20-30 mile radius.

They seem to be thriving here.

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

"We all shop online for the convenience and the price, so it's humbug being sad when a shop we like goes.

That's a sweeping assumption.A lot of people don't do their shopping online at all.

However if high street shops want to be around they do need to be affordable and offer products you actually want to buy. "

The problem they face are rents or rates councils are charging lack of parking or cost of parking

Bills etc they have to charge more compared to likes of Amazon as they don’t have the buying power for discounts

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By *ude LawMan
17 weeks ago

Harrogate

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ..."

WHAT!?

You'll be telling me Our Price has shut next.....

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By *ools and the brainCouple
17 weeks ago

couple, us we him her.

Not everyone wants to buy online,I certainly don't.

Stupid internet shopping.

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By *ools and the brainCouple
17 weeks ago

couple, us we him her.

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

I’m that old I can remember when it was called John Menzies. "

Two different companies entirely.

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By *eoBloomsMan
17 weeks ago

Springfield

Good news for Turkish Barbers

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

Most post offices have moved into Smiths.

So now also less post offices

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
17 weeks ago

in Lancashire

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good. "

Progress hasn't closed them, they've failed to adapt to change ..

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By *ackformore100 OP Man
17 weeks ago

Tin town

"We all shop online for the convenience and the price, so it's humbug being sad when a shop we like goes.

No we all don't but it's a good point that the public gets what the public wants... Cheap shit from China delivered to our doors by unskilled immigrant labour.

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By *ibblepilotMan
17 weeks ago

Preston

People have helped brig about the demise of the high street by continuing to buy so much stuff online "as it's convenient". We can't have it both ways

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By *avie65Man
17 weeks ago

In the west.

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

I’m that old I can remember when it was called John Menzies.

Two different companies entirely."

One became the other up here.

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By *abtastic Mr FoxMan
17 weeks ago

A den in the Glen

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ...

WHAT!?

You'll be telling me Our Price has shut next....."

Nope. There's one here right next to Rumbelows

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
17 weeks ago

East Sussex

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ...

WHAT!?

You'll be telling me Our Price has shut next....."

Wait until I tell you about Debenhams and Bejams...

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By *ea monkeyMan
17 weeks ago

Manchester (he/him)

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

Progress hasn't closed them, they've failed to adapt to change ..

Exactly this.

WH Smith has been overpriced and had limited ranges for a long time. It’s fallen foul of trying to sell too wide a range and failing to deliver.

Just because something is old, it doesn’t make it good

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By *eoBloomsMan
17 weeks ago

Springfield

The good news is they're still open in railway stations and airports if anyone wants to pay £12.50 for two pencils and a Twix.

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By *abtastic Mr FoxMan
17 weeks ago

A den in the Glen

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ...

WHAT!?

You'll be telling me Our Price has shut next.....

Wait until I tell you about Debenhams and Bejams..."

My first job Bejams. Brian, Eric, John, Appthorpe and Millie founding members apparently. Everyday is a school day.

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By *veragecouple2000Couple
17 weeks ago

South Wales

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ...

WHAT!?

You'll be telling me Our Price has shut next.....

Nope. There's one here right next to Rumbelows"

Opposite the Wimpy xx

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By *ackformore100 OP Man
17 weeks ago

Tin town

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next.

I want you to sit down and brace yourself for some bad news ...

WHAT!?

You'll be telling me Our Price has shut next.....

Wait until I tell you about Debenhams and Bejams...

My first job Bejams. Brian, Eric, John, Appthorpe and Millie founding members apparently. Everyday is a school day."

Bejams was next to macfisheries

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By *arvey67Man
17 weeks ago

Grimsby

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

I’m that old I can remember when it was called John Menzies. "

It was never called Menzies,totally different company. Also it was not named after its founder but after his son.The father was HW Smith

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By *arvey67Man
17 weeks ago

Grimsby

"My understanding is that WH Smith tend to own many of their properties.

Unfortunately, not many business are buying high street properties. "Pound" shops, charity shops and cash for gold shops are the high street staple unfortunately now"

They actually sold most of their premises in the 90s and rented them back. Problem was the money was spent in short order and the rents have increased considerably

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By *ools and the brainCouple
17 weeks ago

couple, us we him her.

I love a good browse around a stationary shop, something very calming and relaxing about it.

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By *eoBloomsMan
17 weeks ago

Springfield

"I love a good browse around a stationary shop, something very calming and relaxing about it."

Stationary shops are very quiet.

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By *ools and the brainCouple
17 weeks ago

couple, us we him her.

"I love a good browse around a stationary shop, something very calming and relaxing about it.

Stationary shops are very quiet."

And still

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By *oml and mwgcCouple
17 weeks ago

Birstall

It is a shame but they are so expensive now.

Before i got a Kindle i used to buy paper books, started in W H Smiths but soon went to Tesco because they were a lot cheaper. I don't buy them in Tesco now, far cheaper buying on my Kindle.

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By *r TriomanMan
17 weeks ago

Malmesbury

I think that they maybe keeping the Service Stations and Airport ones; these make the biggest profits.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
17 weeks ago

East Sussex

"I love a good browse around a stationary shop, something very calming and relaxing about it.

Stationary shops are very quiet.

And still

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple
17 weeks ago

Leeds

Doesn’t surprise me, absolute fucking rip off.

The mr

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By *rHotNottsMan
17 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

[Removed by poster at 28/03/25 12:58:53]

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

The high street stores have been sold off and will be rebranded. They will still operate in railway stations, airports, motorway services etc so still around

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By *rHotNottsMan
17 weeks ago

Dubai & Nottingham

Never saw the point of this shop. They’ve had a couple of decades to adapt to less demand for print media, competition online and off-line and do something different but instead they’ve not changed & just been rinsing old people for as long as possible.

Good riddance to bad business

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By *heLeadbettersCouple
17 weeks ago

Reading

"Good news for Turkish Barbers

And Vape shops......

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

Fingers crossed this means airports and train stations get better shops!

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By (user no longer on site)
17 weeks ago

"The high street stores have been sold off and will be rebranded. They will still operate in railway stations, airports, motorway services etc so still around "

Oh damnit

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By *r Mrs FuckableCouple
17 weeks ago

Stoke

Have you seen the prices in there? Greedy bastards deserve to be shut down like the rest of em!

Mr F.

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By *layfull pairingCouple
17 weeks ago

Bristol

Felt it was a shame when first heard about it....then thought about it and realised I hadn’t actually bought anything in there for donkeys years... All their stuff is cheaper in supermarkets and their shops all look tired.

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By *tsJustKateWoman
17 weeks ago

London

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

I’m that old I can remember when it was called John Menzies. "

It was never called Menzies, Smiths took over Menzies, their main rival at the time.

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By *tsJustKateWoman
17 weeks ago

London

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good. "

It's been on the cards for years. I worked there for many years.

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By *ooBulMan
17 weeks ago

SNottingham

I'm not surprised.... Not all co.'s last forever...

I don't think they moved fast enough with the times. Not all people want the type of product they are selling & especially in hard times.

Change is inevitable & in a flux... Just depends whether it's good or bad? Change occurs any way.

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By *allipygousMan
17 weeks ago

Leicester

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good. "

When was the last time you shopped there? How often? I always think this when I read people bemoaning the closing of x chain or premises. Use it or lose it 🤷🏾‍♂️

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By *ackformore100 OP Man
17 weeks ago

Tin town

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

When was the last time you shopped there? How often? I always think this when I read people bemoaning the closing of x chain or premises. Use it or lose it 🤷🏾‍♂️"

Me personally? Usually once a week. I always try and use the high street. How else will it stay open? As you say though... If you shop online....you get what you get. Still artificial intelligence will sort it all out.

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By *aughty_Smooth_OperatorMan
17 weeks ago

Birmingham

When everyone is shopping online these days and anything you want is available on Amazon who needs WH Smith’s

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By *ansoffateMan
17 weeks ago

Sagittarius A

Honestly I was never really sure what that shop was.

It was a bit of a book shop, bit of a newsagent, bit of a stationary shop and a bit random.

You would come out empty handed or with something vaguely related to what you wanted.

It's one area where progress has superceded something for me.

I don't really think of commercial enterprises as part of my cultural heritage or anything so, yeah. I feel bad for anyone who has lost their jobs and may struggle as a consequence.

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By *ou only live onceMan
17 weeks ago

London

If only everyone bemoaning its demise had spent more of their money in there...

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By *ags73Man
17 weeks ago

glasgow-ish

"Been in our high streets for centuries and now progress has closed them. Not all changes are good.

I’m that old I can remember when it was called John Menzies.

It was never called Menzies, Smiths took over Menzies, their main rival at the time."

John Menzies still exists as a distribution company

It got out of retail and sold its chain in Scotland and the north to WH Smith in late 90s.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
17 weeks ago

Central

I purchased from them yesterday duty free at an airport. About twice the price of regular retailers. They obviously haven't had talented directors for years.

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By *oubleswing2019Man
16 weeks ago

Colchester

I think folks realised that due to covid and lockdowns, it was entirely possible to move one's shopping requirements to the virtual arena.

Food shopping ? Online delivery.

Nearly everything else ? Online delivery.

I've done GP consultations online.

I've attended an online funeral (because of lockdown), but it's now imprinted in my mind that this can be done even when not in lockdowns.

So much *can* be done online, with the will and the way.

And the impulsivity has gone too, thank goodness. I buy what I need, without distraction.

Sure some things will need a tradesperson, if it's dangerous or highly qualified work. But you can find numerous videos on how to change a tap online. The sort of stuff my dad would do, and he wasn't a plumber, but he knew how to do it. He wouldn't dream of paying someone to change a tap. And I think a lot of those simple skills are coming back in to the home again with the advent of YT, which can only be a good thing. To be fair, do plumbers really want to mess around with little jobs like that anymore anyway ?

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By *heDesiCandiTV/TS
16 weeks ago

The High St is in decline because of High rents & business rates.

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By *iltsTSgirlTV/TS
16 weeks ago

Chichester

Online shopping has decimated physical shopping for many types of shops

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By *urry BlokeMan
16 weeks ago

As I understood it, WHSmith have made a conscious business decision to exit the high street and concentrate their business in places like hospitals, motorway services, train stations and airports

To be fair, in areas where there is limited competition, their business model is probably a better fit - cos they aren't cheap

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
16 weeks ago

East Sussex

The only time I buy anything in WH Smith is at the airport where I'm a captive audience

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By *ackformore100 OP Man
16 weeks ago

Tin town

When the high streets are gone. And replaced by only charity shops and tattoo parlours. And the pubs and restaurants are gone. And you're socialising only online and having AI sex in your armchairs fantasising about the amazon drone pilot. Wonder if those supporting the Chinese economy will reflect their choices have consequences.

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By *cottish guy 555Man
16 weeks ago

London

"Disgrace. They'll be shutting Woolworths next."

Don't be silly, there's one right next door to safeway and Debenhams, just opposite C&A.

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