TGJONES: New Deputy First Minister raises alarm over Neath Post Office threat as she writes to chain over closure risk
Wales’s newly-appointed Deputy First Minister has written to TGJones demanding answers about the future of its Neath store — warning that its closure would put a Post Office counter used by some of the town’s most vulnerable residents at risk.
Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, wrote to the chain on 12 May raising concerns about the impact of the proposed restructuring on communities in her constituency, where both the Neath and Brecon branches have been rumoured to be among those at risk.
The Neath TGJones store currently hosts a Post Office counter — a service that Williams said raises concerns not just about the variety of shops in the town centre, but about continued access to basic services for residents, especially older people and those with limited mobility or access to transport.
In a Facebook post accompanying the letter, Williams said: “I am concerned to hear that the Post Office in Neath may be at risk given the proposed closure of TGJones stores across Wales — where the Neath Post Office currently sits.”
She added that any loss of the sites would raise concerns not only about retail provision, but about access to basic services for residents who depend on them.
The letter, addressed to TGJones management, asks the chain to clarify whether any Welsh stores are currently under active consideration for closure or subject to landlord negotiations, how community impact and service dependency are being assessed when decisions about store viability are made, and what engagement has taken place — or is planned — with Post Office Ltd, local authorities, or other stakeholders where stores host essential services.
Williams also called for alternatives to full closure — including relocation, service-only retention, or partnership approaches — to be explored in locations where the loss of a store could significantly affect a town centre.
The intervention comes as seven TGJones branches across south-west Wales face an uncertain future — including the Swansea Quadrant, Neath, Llanelli, Carmarthen, Bridgend, Tenby and Haverfordwest — after owner Modella Capital announced plans to close up to 150 stores nationally as part of a major restructuring.
The financial picture facing the chain is bleak. Documents circulated to creditors revealed that TGJones owes £8.4 million to HMRC, with a six-month payment agreement struck in April — and a further £3.4 million in business rates arrears, with bailiffs reported to be a real threat if payments are not maintained.
WH Smith, which sold its 480 high street stores to Modella Capital in March 2025 before they were rebranded as TGJones, has separately refused to fund enhanced redundancy payments for staff who could lose their jobs.
The restructuring requires approval from a High Court judge, with a hearing expected in late June. Landlords are likely to face demands for severe rent reductions, and those who refuse could simply have their stores handed back to them.
Post Office has previously said it will update communities if any of its services hosted within TGJones stores are forced to relocate as a result of the closures — but has given no guarantees that services would remain in the same towns.
Williams’s letter represents the most senior political intervention in the TGJones crisis in Wales to date. She was this week named Deputy First Minister in Wales’s first ever Plaid Cymru government — notably, the letter was written on 12 May, the day before the cabinet was announced.
The High Court hearing in late June remains the key date for staff and communities across south-west Wales with an interest in the future of the affected stores.
The Neath branch is one of three TGJones stores in south-west Wales known to host a Post Office counter — the Swansea Quadrant and Carmarthen branches also provide the service. Post Office Ltd has previously pledged to update communities if any hosted services are forced to relocate, but has given no guarantee that alternative provision would remain in the same town.
Our TGJones coverage
Seven south-west Wales stores at risk as chain announces 150 closures
The full list of at-risk branches across the region.
Bailiff threat and tax debts cast fresh doubt over south-west Wales stores
TGJones owes £8.4m to HMRC and faces a bailiff threat as WH Smith refuses to fund redundancy.
Post Office promises to update communities if any branches are forced to relocate
What the closures could mean for Post Office services hosted within TGJones stores.
WH Smith sells high street stores — which will be renamed TGJones
How the chain ended up in Modella Capital’s hands in the first place.
#Neath #PostOffice #SionedWilliamsMS #TGJones #WHSmith
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