[library picture]
I really think l could be developing second sight.
Yesterday, l sent an email to the national press office at WH Smith asking if rumours of the closure of their store in Bath were true.
While l have yet to receive a reply – there on the BBC website is the news that the name – so familiar on our High Streets – is to disappear.
The firm has agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital, who will rebrand the shops as TG Jones.
The new owner says it will be business as usual, and it looks like our Post Office counters are safe! I don’t know if that goes for current staff numbers?
The WH Smith name is not up for sale, and the company will continue to trade at airports, railway stations and hospital outlets.
So Bath will finally be without the name of W H Smith. There used to be 2: the stationers and W H Smith (Bath) Ltd, luggage and equestrian supplies (based at the Guildhall end of Cheap Street). I think they closed in the 1970s. They numbered Haillie Selassie amongst their customers, who was exiled to Bath during WWII.