WH Smith Travel to open London Bridge shop in April

WH Smith Travel is to open a new 900 sq ft bookshop at London Bridge station in April.

The new store—part of an overhaul of the train station which has 10 times more dedicated retail space than its prior incarnation—is the first of two new dedicated bookshops the company is opening in the first half of this financial year, although the location of the second has yet to be disclosed.

The opening follows the success of its Bookshop at euston station (which opened its doors in november 2016) and will bring the overall number of such outlets in travel’s portfolio across airports and rail hubs to 12.

"The store will offer a premium book-buying experience tailored to the distinct London Bridge environment, enabling customers to browse at length for their favourite titles
in a store designed to embrace the modern but also pay tribute to the sculpted Victorian railway vaults that stand here,” a W h smith spokesperson told The Bookseller, adding: “We’re really excited about the new Bookshop by W h smith opening.”

"These dedicated bookshops provide an enhanced customer experience with a unique look and feel and have been well received by customers, publishers and landlords,” the company added.

W H Smith’s annual financial results for the year ending 31st august showed that high street sales were down 4% like-for-like, and profit was flat year on year, at £62m. the travel arm, meanwhile, saw sales rise 4% like-for-like, and trading profit increase by 10%, to £96m.