W H Smith staff stay at Swindon HQ for now despite redevelopment plans

Staff will remain at WH Smith’s current HQ in Swindon for now despite redevelopment plans for the future, The Bookseller understands.

Last week the Swindon Advertiser reported the retailer got permission to knock down its Greenbridge headquarters and sell the land. An outline planning application shows the site could be replaced with up to 228 houses. 

The Greenbridge site was built in the 1960s. Part of the site was cleared three years ago for a 134-home development and in 2020 W H Smith staff were moved into the tower block on site.  

In a comment to the Swindon Advertiser, W H Smith said it remains committed to Swindon, telling the newspaper: “The sale of the site with a planning permission is considered to be the optimal strategy to enable the relocation of operations and retaining jobs, with the intention to remain in Swindon.” 

The Bookseller understands that W H Smith staff are not moving out of the tower block and the retailer’s HQ will remain at the site for the time being. However the outline planning approval provides the retailer with options for the future.