Friday September 18th 2026
TGJones on Dalkeith High Street was formally WHSmith until mid-2025
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Midlothian Councillors have called for urgent action to protect jobs and Dalkeith Post Office following the news that TGJones on Dalkeith High Street (formally WHSmith) has been selected for closure.
TGJones has announced that their Dalkeith branch will close in January, putting local jobs at risk and threatening the future of an important Midlothian Post Office service. The announcement comes after TGJones announced the closure of 19 UK stores this September.
The closure follows the implementation of TG Jones’ Court-approved Restructuring Plan, with the Dalkeith store expected to close on January 9, 2027 following a closing down sale.
The Post Office within TGJones serves not only Dalkeith residents but people from communities across Midlothian who travel into the town to access its vital services.
Labour Councillors Margot Russell and Stephen Curran are bringing a motion to Midlothian Council calling for urgent engagement with TGJones/Modella Capital and Post Office Ltd, with every reasonable option to retain the store and protect local jobs to be explored.
Crucially, the motion also seeks to safeguard the future of the Post Office. If the decision to close TGJones cannot be reversed, it calls on the Council to work with Post Office Ltd and other Dalkeith town centre retailers to identify an alternative operator.
If no suitable commercial alternative can be found, the motion asks the Council to explore the feasibility of taking on and accommodating the Post Office service within Dalkeith Library.
Councillor Margot Russell explained that the first priority must be ‘to see whether anything can be done to reverse these decisions’, in the aim to project jobs of the staff and retain the store on Dalkeith High Street.
She added: “We also need to prepare for the possibility that the closure goes ahead. The Post Office is an important service used not just by people in Dalkeith, but by residents from communities across Midlothian.
“If TGJones cannot be retained, we should work with Post Office Ltd and other town centre retailers to find another home for the Post Office in Dalkeith.
“And if a suitable commercial operator cannot be found, I believe we should explore whether Midlothian Council could step in and accommodate the service within Dalkeith Library.
“We cannot control the commercial decisions of a private company, but we can make sure every reasonable avenue is explored to protect jobs, retain vital services and support the future of Dalkeith town centre.”
The closure announcement has sparked backlash amongst Midlothian residents with many expressing their anger on local Facebook groups.
Posting to the What’s Happening in Woodburn/Dalkeith community group, one local resident commented:
“I was in TGJones this afternoon and found out that it’s closing in January! Poor staff had just been told! Includes the Post Office too. So soon there will be no newsagent and no post office in Dalkeith, it’s not acceptable is it?”
Another said: “The council in Dalkeith need to take a long hard look at themselves. This was the main market town at one time but as soon as they built the concrete jungle it was over. The high street should have been preserved as it was and turned into a pedestrian precinct and used as a historic centre not only for locals to use the shops but somewhere for visitors to see what old towns looked like. No vision. Even the charity shops can’t keep open because of rates. Very sad to see my town destroyed.”
TG Jones has confirmed the closure of its Dalkeith store as the company works to secure its long-term future, saying its focus is now on supporting affected staff and customers.
A spokesperson for TG Jones told the Midlothian View:
“As we work to secure the long-term future of TG Jones, we have confirmed that our Dalkeith store will close. We know this will be disappointing news for our colleagues, customers, and the local community. Our focus now is on supporting those affected and continuing to serve customers throughout the closure period. We would like to thank all of our colleagues for their commitment and the contribution they have made to TG Jones.”
The company said customers can continue to shop at nearby TG Jones stores and online during the closure period.
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