TGJones, the stationery and bookshop formerly known as WHSmith, has launched a closing-down sale at its store in Croydon's Whitgift Centre, according to a report by Your Local Guardian. The retailer has put up closing-down signs at the shopping centre location, signalling another departure from the struggling retail hub.
Rising vacancy numbers at Whitgift Centre
The apparent closure comes as the Whitgift Centre continues to face a growing number of empty units. Your Local Guardian counted 93 vacant units during its most recent visit in August, a significant increase from previous counts. In September 2024, the publication recorded 46 empty units across the shopping centre. That number rose to 52 by May 2025, then reached 73 by October of the same year, before climbing to the current 93 in August.
Several parts of the shopping centre are now completely blocked off, and a number of escalators are inaccessible, according to the report. Some units have remained vacant for years, including the former Bar Ispani site, which Your Local Guardian reported in 2025 had been empty for more than a decade.
Recent retailer departures
TGJones adopted its current name after WHSmith's high street business changed hands. The store had been one of the remaining retailers in the Whitgift Centre as other familiar names disappeared. Among the more recent departures are Flying Tiger and Claire's, which both closed their Whitgift Centre stores in April. Holland & Barrett has also left the centre and opened on North End instead.
Superdry, which occupied one of the centre's larger units, closed last summer. Other former shops including The Body Shop, Rebel Fashion World and Swarovski have also disappeared from the centre.
Redevelopment plans move forward
The centre is now at the heart of major plans to transform Croydon town centre. Latest proposals from Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) would see the Whitgift Centre and surrounding land comprehensively redeveloped into a new mixed-use quarter containing homes, shops, leisure and commercial spaces. Plans presented to Croydon Council's Planning Committee in September include new pedestrian routes and public spaces, including a new public square and park.
The latest proposals could see between 3,000 and 4,000 homes built as part of the wider redevelopment. URW strengthened its control over the site in July after buying the Whitgift Centre freehold from the John Whitgift Foundation for £31.5 million. The deal includes the Whitgift Centre, Green Park House and parts of the former Allders building not already owned by URW.
The developer previously held a long lease on the site, with Croydon Council saying the new ownership arrangement would help pave the way for its redevelopment. The latest closing down sale therefore comes at a time of major change for the Whitgift Centre, as more retailers disappear while plans for its long-term transformation move forward. An official closing date has not been confirmed.
