The Guardian | How new owner became all powerful in ‘high stakes’ attempt to revive former WH Smith chain by Sarah Butler

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The former WH Smith high‑street chain, bought by the low‑profile investment group Modella Capital last summer, was quickly rebranded as TG Jones and is now facing a sweeping restructure that could see up to 150 of its 450 stores shut and thousands of jobs lost. Modella, which now acts as creditor, landlord and brand owner, is set to acquire the business—including its Swindon headquarters—for no more than £20 million plus the assumption of its debts, a fraction of the £76 million valuation originally announced. Only £10 million of that has been paid, with the remainder tied to trading performance and the realisation of tax assets expected to be worth about £8 million. The firm has also provided a £10 million loan to TG Jones at 12 % interest, supplemented by an Aurelius rescue loan that could rise to £40 million, while royalty fees on the TG Jones brand are being waived on a no‑cash basis. If the creditor‑approved plan is adopted by the end of June, rent and royalty obligations will be restructured, but Modella’s position behind Aurelius in any insolvency leaves its ability to recover debts uncertain, highlighting a high‑stakes test for the investor as it attempts to revive a once‑iconic retailer.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/13/wh-smith-new-owner-modella-tg-jones-stores-jobs

#WHSmith #ModellaCapital #Aurelius #privateequity #retailindustry

Speedpaint for Thumbtack8ball :)

#Rekuillustration #Synth #Thumbtack8ball #SFW #Portrait #Aurelius

Kerri Chandler (US), Aurelius, PHIA, Maximoto @ Het Sieraad - 12 Sep feat. Kerri Chandler, Aurelius, PHIA + more

#SESH #KerriChandler #Aurelius #PHIA

https://sesh.sx/events/12172675

Phono Lake with Aurelius & Lil Lawaw @ Phono Lake - 23 Aug feat. Aurelius, Lil Lawaw

#SESH #Aurelius #LilLawaw

https://sesh.sx/events/12218186

Doka Studio with Aurelius - Nedda Sou @ Doka - 15 Aug feat. Aurelius, Nedda Sou

#SESH #Aurelius #NeddaSou

https://sesh.sx/events/12220299

Takhle by to léto šlo 😄 🍷

#víno #morava #aurelius #kuchařovice

Stoic Quote:
"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." – Marcus Aurelius

Reflection Question:
What simple beauty around you today can you take a moment to appreciate?

#Aurelius #marcusaurelius

Happy new year, don't get stressed, just have desserts 😁

@philosophy @psychology @thinkingaboutthinking

#Marcus #Aurelius
#Thinking #Memes #ThinkingMemes #Philosophy
#Have #A #Take #Or #Not

At last year's international Stoicon conference, I was invited to give a talk, which I titled "From The Cosmos To Cracks In Bread: Things of Beauty For Stoics". Here's the transcript of the talk and the Q&A.

https://gregorybsadler.substack.com/p/from-the-cosmos-to-cracks-in-bread
#Stoicism #Beauty #Philosophy #Aesthetics #Seneca #Epictetus #Marcus #Aurelius