WH Smith head office to relocate

WH Smith is being forced to find new headquarters as its offices in Swindon are “no longer fit for purpose and in a state of disrepair”, the Swindon Advertiser has reported.

The retail chain is looking to move away from its current headquarters on Greenbridge Road and is currently in discussion with Swindon Borough Council regarding “the possibility of relocating our head office to a building that is more suitable for our needs”, a spokesperson for WH Smith told The Bookseller.

However, it has not been confirmed that WH Smith will stay in Swindon if plans fall through. The spokesperson added: “If our application to the council is successful we are committed to staying within Swindon. Due to the very early stage of our discussions we are unable to comment any further.”

Councillor Garry Perkins, the cabinet member for the economy for Swindon Council, said: “Over the past few years WH Smith has been re-evaluating its business needs in light of more people using online. We, and Forward Swindon, have been talking to WH Smith for about 18 months about its plans and how we can help it.

“I know WH Smith is looking at existing and new buildings. We will do what we can to help it find a suitable site. I think it might try to go for a new building so it can design it to its specific needs.”

He added: “Swindon has a long and positive relationship with Smiths and we are looking forward to that continuing.”

Planning applications have been submitted to build 134 homes, a nursery and intergenerational care accomodation on the site where the WH Smith headquarters are currently located.