Shoppers Fear Closure of TG Jones Store

Shoppers in Reading fear losing their local place to buy magazines and use the Post Office after warnings the TG Jones on Broad Street could close.

The shop was the WHSmith on Broad Street until it was renamed TG Jones in June last year after Modella Capital bought 480 stores. Just over a year later it has been announced up to 150 stores could close because of operating losses and debts.

A Local Democracy Reporting Service visit on July 10 found a steady stream of customers and a Post Office counter inside the shop.

Michael Bain, from Newbury, said: "I didn't know about the closure news, but I can't say I'm too surprised, with the business climate as it is at the moment."

He added: "Probably the rent is too high, I expect; I'm always moaning about the car park prices because of what they charge."

Susan Arstall, 78, said: "I would miss it if it wasn't there." She said the only nearby alternative was Ryman's and that the nearby Broad Street Mall post office was more traditional but less convenient.

Mrs Arstall said: "I came here [the Post Office in TG Jones] the other day, every single automatic machine was broken. And there was a queue a mile long because they don't have the staff."

Chris Green, from South Reading, said: "I think one of the most bonkers decisions I have ever heard of was changing the name from WHSmith, which everybody knew from their childhood, including me."

Anna Davey said: "I don't buy online, for me, it would be bad if it closed." Regular user Peter Chu added: "I go here every day! I need to send parcels so I use the Post Office."

Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, said: "It is important for the town centre to have a very wide range of shops and I am concerned about the future of TG Jones and the post office upstairs in the store."

He added: "I am calling on the owners of TG Jones to rethink and invest in the business."

"It is also really important that there is a post office in the town centre and I will raising this with the Post Office."

A spokesperson for TG Jones was unable to provide an update on the Broad Street store at the time of writing.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter