Solihull residents have been left "very sad" after the exact date for the closure of the town's only Post Office was confirmed. The Post Office, located inside the TGJones store in Mell Square, will shut its doors on July 11, leaving the borough with just one alternative branch over a mile away in Elmdon Heath.
TGJones Restructuring Leads to Multiple Closures
TGJones, which replaced 464 former WHSmith high street stores in 2025, is closing at least eight UK branches as part of a restructuring plan by Modella, the firm that acquired the WHSmith brand and ended its 233-year presence on UK high streets. The Solihull store, which also housed a Toys 'R' Us, is among those affected.
Modella told creditors it plans to amend Post Office contracts, allowing closures with just 56 days' notice if leases are lost. This has raised concerns about "postal deserts" in towns, with the Post Office acknowledging the "challenging conditions" facing high street retailers.
Community Reaction
Residents have expressed dismay online. Bernie D, writing on Nextdoor, said: "It’s crazy that a town centre the size of Solihull will no longer have a Post Office." Helen Seymour added: "It's very sad, as we don't all prefer online shopping. They just seem to end up being posh shops and not the heart of the community anymore." Sarah T described the closure as "another nail in the coffin for Solihull."
Post Office Response
A Post Office spokesperson said: "We fully recognise the challenging trading conditions that TGJones and many other high street retailers are facing. Regrettably, following the launch of its restructuring plan, TGJones has confirmed that its Solihull store in Mell Square will close, as will the Post Office within, on July 11. We know how important our services are to the community. We have advertised the vacancy and welcome interest from retailers looking to host a Post Office branch. More details are available at www.runapostoffice.co.uk. There is also a Post Office at Elmdon Heath."
The Elmdon Heath Post Office is located at 54 Damson Lane, Solihull, B91 2RF. BirminghamLive has contacted TGJones for comment.
