South Tyneside Council insists regeneration plans will 'increase footfall' despite WH Smith closure

South Tyneside Council, the joint masterminds behind the South Shields 365 scheme, was reacting to Wednesday’s announcement that WH Smith is the latest nationwide retailer to quit the town.

The stationery, newspapers, magazines and books specialist confirmed that its King Street store will close at the end of October when its lease ends.

The firm has so far declined to reveal how many staff will be made redundant or if any will be offered posts at other branches.

The closure follows the departure from South Shields over the last six years of household names such as Marks and Spencer in 2014, Burton in 2019 and Debenhams, which announced earlier this year that its Waterloo Place store would not reopen following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Shoppers were also quick to describe WH Smith’s decision as the final nail in the town centre’s coffin.

Yet, while expressing “disappointment” over the announcement, the council says its ongoing South Shields 365 scheme with partner Muse Developments will eventually “create new high quality leisure, commercial and residential opportunities”.

Councillor John Anglin, the council’s lead member for regeneration and economy, said: “The pandemic has unfortunately made it increasingly difficult for many businesses to survive what were already difficult times for the high street.

"Over the last few months many national retailers across the country have had to adapt to survive, with the inevitable closure of stores up and down the country.

“It is always disappointing when a business leaves the high street but we are committed to doing all we can in South Shields to make the town centre an attractive place for business.

"Our regeneration plans for South Shields will create new high quality leisure, commercial and residential opportunities which will increase footfall in the town centre and encourage more visitors throughout the year.”

Phase three of the £100m scheme, which follows the completion of The National Centre for the Written Word and the new transport interchange, will see disused King Street buildings opposite WH Smith demolished.

Work was due to begin earlier this year until the pandemic struck.

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