Big name retailer announces closure in Dewsbury

WH Smith, one of the major tenants in the Princess of Wales Precinct, has confirmed it will shut its doors when its lease expires.

There is a closing down sale on with 30% off almost everything.

It is almost 10 years since the high street chain reversed a decision to quit the town.

In 2011 negotiations stalled over a new lease. A deal was eventually reached after interventions by Kirklees Council and the town’s then MP Simon Reevell.

Current MP Mark Eastwood was dismayed at the latest news, saying it came at just the time Dewsbury’s regeneration was gathering pace.

Kirklees College’s Pioneer Higher Skills Centre opened two weeks ago and will bring scores of students into the town centre, he said.

“I will be contacting WH Smith as a matter of urgency,” he added.

WH Smith announced last month it would close 25 stores, affecting almost 200 jobs.

The store group reported a 19% drop in high street sales and around 1,500 job losses were announced in August.

In a statement the store said: “We can confirm that the WH Smith store in Dewsbury will close in April 2021 when our lease expires.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to continue to trade viably from this location.

“As one of the largest supporters of the UK high street, we are disappointed to be losing our presence in Dewsbury and we would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.

“We are also extremely grateful for the commitment of our in store colleagues who we will support with this transition and redeploy to nearby stores, where possible.”