Jobs in doubt as WHSmith set to shut Merry Hill shop
Merry Hill's WHSmith is poised to shut its doors for good next month leaving jobs hanging in the balance.
The branch first opened at the shopping complex in 1989 and the shock news comes just a week after BHS – which also has a branch at Merry Hill – collapsed into administration and put 11,000 jobs at risk.
A notice displayed at the Merry Hill WHSmith states it will be closing on Wednesday, June 8, at 9pm, with the nearest branch then being at Stourbridge's Ryemarket.
Jonathon Day, marketing co-ordinator for intu Merry Hill said: "We are currently in talks with WHSmith about their future at the centre.
"Our customers can be assured that we will continue to work closely with existing and new retailers to deliver a great mix of stores, products and services."
Negotiations will continue with Merry Hill bosses and a final decision is set to be made at the end of this week.
The potential closure of WHSmith follows on from two major fashion stores closing at Merry Hill, as Gap and Dorothy Perkins shut in September.
It is another blow to the site, which faces increased competition from Grand Central opening alongside the revamp of Birmingham's New Street Station.
WHSmith's Dudley town centre store closed in September 2013, with a loss of six jobs, as bosses said they could not continue to 'trade viably' from the Wolverhampton Street branch.
And the firm shuts its shop in the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, in January due to the redevelopment of the shopping centre, affecting around 20 jobs. No-one from WHSmith was available to comment about the closure.
A total of 14 national retail businesses have closed in 2016 already, affecting nearly 1,000 stores nationwide and more than 20,000 staff.
Meanwhile, workers at crisis-hit British Home Stores in the Merry Hill shopping centre have been offered potential job opportunities by a care firm.
Worcestershire-based Eclipse Home Care said it is willing to speak to all employees who are facing uncertain futures after the high street chain plunged into administration.
The company serves areas including Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley, with the nearest BHS stores being at Merry Hill and in Redditch.
