Council leader ‘shocked’ as WH Smith closes store in Hull

Several members of staff will lose their jobs when the store on Whitefriargate closes its doors on May 4. One said they’d been told because the rent was too high.

WH Smith has another city centre store in the Prospect Centre, but it is a major loss to the street which has around ten empty retail units.

Council leader Coun Steve Brady has made regenerating Whitefriargate and the Old Town one of his top priorities.

He said landlords had to be realistic about the rents they were setting – with some on the street costing £1,000-a-week.

He said: “I make no bones about it, I was really shocked when I got told.

“It shows there is no liaison when the council doesn’t know a major retailer is pulling out.

“The other end of town, Ferensway, has obviously sucked a lot of trade into that area and left the Old Town very vulnerable. Landlords need to work with the council and set realistic prices so that we can attract cafes and people who want to start up businesses.”

A WH Smith spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately we are unable to continue to trade viably from this location and the decision has been taken to close the store at this time because of the forthcoming lease expiry.

“We remain committed to serving the local community in Hull through our stores in the Prospect Centre and Kingswood retail park, as well as at the rail station and Hull Royal Infirmary.”