'Store Closing Down' signs have gone up in the windows of TG Jones in Swindon's Regent Street.
The branch of what was historic stationery and bookshop brand WH Smith until a recent rebrand is one of Swindon's oldest and most familiar major shops, and is also home to a branch of the Post Office.
The store is the latest major high street brand to depart a town centre which, like many town and city centres throughout the country has seen the shopping landscape change thanks to online retail and out-of-town 'big box' centres.
The firm says it is expected to close its doors for the final time on 15 September.
Across from TG Jones and a little further down Regent Street, closing down sale messages are also being displayed in the windows of House to Home.
The general store occupies what for more than a century was the town centre location of Marks & Spencer, which closed in 2023.
A TG Jones spokesperson said: "As we work to secure the long-term future of TG Jones, we have confirmed that our Swindon store will close.
"We know this will be disappointing news for our colleagues, customers, and the local community. Our focus now is on supporting those affected and continuing to serve customers throughout the closure period.
"We would like to thank all of our colleagues for their commitment and the contribution they have made to TG Jones."
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the challenging trading conditions that TG Jones and many other High Street retailers are facing at the moment.
"TG Jones had its Restructuring Plan approved by the High Court on 1 July, which includes seeking new commercial terms with landlords for the majority of their estate.
"Consequently, TG Jones is to close their Swindon store. Regrettably, Swindon Post Office is due to close on Monday 14 September.
“We know how important our products and services are to the local community. The vacancy has recently been advertised on www.runapostoffice.co.uk and we are keen to hear from interested retailers and we have had some interest already expressed.
"We want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible. In the interim alternative branches will be Commercial Road and Victoria Road.”
TG Jones - or WH Smith as was - is the latest in a litany of major store brands which have departed the town centre over the years, including Littlewoods, British Home Stores, Debenhams, House of Fraser and much-loved local department store McIlroys, which closed in 1998.
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