New signs have been put in place at Kenilworth's WHSmith as the shop is sold in a major deal.

The chain announced the sale of its 233-year-old high street businesses to Modella Capital - the firm which owns Hobbycraft - earlier this year in a deal worth £76 million.

The deal includes 480 stores nationwide, including Kenilworth's WHSmith at Talisman Square.

The signs coming down in Talisman Square (image by Alison Insley)

And now the signs have been replaced at the town centre shop as it rebrands as TGJones.

The signs were replaced yesterday (16 July).

WHSmith said the sale will mean it can focus on the travel arm of the business.

"Over the last decade, WHSmith has become a leading global travel retailer with over 1,200 Travel stores across 32 countries," a statement this spring said.

The store's new look (image by Alison Insley)

"While profitable and cash generative, the UK High Street business has become an increasingly smaller part of the WHSmith Group.

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"In the financial year ended 31 August 2024, 75% of the Group's revenue and 85% of its trading profit came from its Travel business.

"As the group has successfully developed its Travel Essentials proposition, including a higher proportion of food and drink, health and beauty and tech accessories, its customer offer in travel is increasingly different from that of its UK High Street business."

Some 5,000 people are employed across the 480 UK stores and the Swindon support centre.

All employees and assets were to be transferred to Modella through the sale.

WHSmith has sold its high street stores (image by Alison Insley)