Well known High Street brand WH Smith is opening a shop in Thornton Heath later this month and will be offering a coffee-to-go service.

It’s decision to choose Thornton Heath to open will be seen as a ‘confidence’ boost to the High Street.
The WHSmith store which will open in the empty retail unit in the station ticket area will also be selling coffee in direct competition with nearby coffee businesses.

Coffee Zone which opened in January is the other side of station entrance and YBR Cakes is on the same Brigstock Road stretch. There is also a coffee vendor on the station platform.

A new cafe is also due to open on the forecourt opposite in the former Parthenon Fashion premises.

A spokesman for WHSmith said: “I can confirm that we will be opening a WHSmith in Thornton Heath Station in mid-November. The store will offer a range of newspapers, magazines, drinks and confectionery, as well as a small range of travel essentials, cards and coffee-to-go.”

While one shop opens another closes.
Long running Thornton Heath business PWJ Plumbing Supplies shuts today (Nov1).
It is leaving its High Street shop premises at NO46 after 30 years in Thornton Heath to relocate to Coulsdon citing traffic congestion and lack of car parking as the reason.

In May WH Smith was once again voted the UKs worst High Street with customers criticising the chain for its poor value for money and ‘cramped and messy’ stores.
However, this approach to business doesn’t appear to be putting off shoppers as it has been ranked bottom or second bottom in the Which? survey of Britain’s favourite chains for eight years.

Its outgoing chief executive boss also just spent £312 million on buying a Las Vegas-based retail group which owns a string of airport gift shop brands.