W H Smith opens flagship The Bookshop at Gatwick

W H Smith has opened a flagship branch of The Bookshop, the largest yet of its 12 standalone stores, at Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal.

The 170 square metre shop features handwritten recommendations from booksellers and titles related to travellers’ destination countries.

It adds to the chain’s presence at Gatwick, with two W H Smith shops already at the airport.

Toby Keir, m.d. of WHSmith Travel, said: “We’re delighted to be launching our flagship The Bookshop by W H Smith at Gatwick North. Such an exciting and completely unique bookshop not only supports our strong relationship with Gatwick but builds on our position as a world-class bookseller as we continue to deliver fantastic choice and recommendations to our travelling customers.”

Rachel Bulford, head of retail at Gatwick Airport, added: “The opening of The Bookshop by WHSmith is the latest, exciting milestone for both the continued development of our North Terminal and our partnership with W H Smith. The Bookshop by W H Smith supports the ongoing growth in our retail offering and we are delighted that we will be able to provide such a large range of books to meet the reading requirements of all our passengers travelling through the North Terminal.”

The new store officially opened on 26th July.

W H Smith Travel recently reported strong growth for the 11 weeks to 18th May, with total sales up 26% and like-for-like rising 3%. The firm, which was named Book Retailer of the Year at the British Book Awards, has plans to open 20 units across the country, with half of those in hospitals.