Tommy Robinson: Met Police officer admits wrong date put on court order
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson: Met Police officer admits wrong date put on court order Banzai Japan Music Video A senior Met Police officer who signed a dispersal order allegedly breached by Tommy Robinson in London has admitted in court it may not have been lawful. The 41-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, denies failing to comply with a direction to leave an area in Westminster on 26 November 2023. He was arrested at a march against antisemitism after organisers said he would not be welcome at the event. Insp Steve Parker-Phipps admitted he wrongly dated the form 24 November. The officer, whose laptop battery was “dying”, put the order in place at 10:00 GMT on 26 November. Book Novotel Hotel ‘Became resistant’ Questioning the inspector, Robinson’s barrister Alisdair Williamson KC said: “This document is not correct is it? “Can we have any confidence that there was a lawful order in place?” The officer replied: “No.” Banzai Japan Music Video Prosecutor Jonathan Bryan told the court Robinson “became resistant” when ordered to leave the area near the Royal Courts of Justice and was arrested. “Organisers of the protest had made it clear they didn’t want his presence,” Mr Bryan said. “He wouldn’t leave the area.” During his arrest, officers sprayed Robinson with synthetic pepper spray and handcuffed him. Robinson, from Bedfordshire, was “upset” and “angry” about being asked to leave and “held on to metal railings so he could not be escorted”, police said. The trial continues. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson case collapses over police paperwork
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson case collapses over police paperwork Banzai Japan Music Video Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been cleared of breaching a dispersal order after a judge ruled the power had not been legally authorised. The 41-year-old, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested at a march against antisemitism after organisers said he would not be welcome. A senior Met Police officer who signed the dispersal order had previously told Westminster Magistrates’ Court he had used the wrong date. On Tuesday, District Judge Daniel Sternberg ruled there was no case to answer. Following the verdict, Mr Robinson announced on X, formerly Twitter, that he was planning to sue the Metropolitan Police. He posted: “The next time I see you lot in court it’s going to be you having to defend your actions.” Book Novotel Hotel The responsibility of policing certain aspects of the protest, which was being held in Westminster, central London, fell to Insp Steve Parker-Phipps. The court heard the inspector imposed a Section 35 order under the Crime and Policing Act 2014 when he thought a “right-wing group” could potentially be attending. Insp Parker-Phipps, whose laptop battery was “dying”, put the order in place at 10:00 GMT on 26 November, but accidentally dated the form for 24 November. Mr Robinson’s defence lawyer, Alisdair Williamson KC, told the court there had been a “litany of catastrophic errors” in the Met’s handling of the incident. Questioning the inspector, Mr Williamson said: “This document is not correct is it? “Can we have any confidence that there was a lawful order in place?” To which the inspector replied: “No.” Banzai Japan Music Video ‘No case to answer’ Giving his ruling, District Judge Daniel Sternberg said: “I am not satisfied there was a legal authorisation. “There is no case for you to answer.” The hearing was attended by numerous supporters of Mr Robinson who filled the public gallery. During his arrest, officers sprayed the English Defence League founder with synthetic pepper spray and handcuffed him. He uploaded a video of himself with partially closed eyes to social media after the incident. Other footage of him arguing with police officers was also posted on his X account, with Mr Robinson claiming to be present as a journalist at the march. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Thousands join Tommy Robinson march in London
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Thousands join Tommy Robinson march in London Banzai Japan Music Video Thousands of supporters of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson have filled Trafalgar Square in central London after a march. He claimed the event was the “biggest patriotic rally” the UK had ever seen. A counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project also took place in London. The Metropolitan Police said a major operation was in place to “keep the peace” between the two protests, amid fears of serious disruption. A Trans Pride event was also held in the capital. Book Novotel Hotel Amid a sea of England and Union Jack flags, Tommy Robinson’s supporters listened to speeches attacking immigration and promoting “patriotism”. He received a loud cheer in Trafalgar Square when he asked the crowd how many of them had voted for Reform at the general election. He revealed he had asked Nigel Farage to speak at the protest, but said the Reform leader had told him he “couldn’t make it”. At the anti-racist counter-protest nearby, Jeremy Corbyn gave a speech, and demonstrators held placards reading “no to racism, no to hatred” and chanted “we won’t be silent”. Banzai Japan Music Video The Metropolitan Police said five arrests had been made: Two men were arrested on suspicion of “GBH-level [grievous bodily harm] assault” after a participant in the Stand Up To Racism demonstration was assaulted in Victoria Embankment Gardens, the Met said. The victim sustained a head injury and was given first aid by officers A member of the public was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward at Trans Pride, and another man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public order offence after a police officer was kicked One man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly snapping a Palestinian flag and making a racially abusive remark. The Met Police has not said whether the five arrested people were participants in any of Saturday’s protests. Ahead of the marches, police barricaded Whitehall and mobile units were parked in side streets around Westminster. One thousand officers were on duty and Scotland Yard used powers under the Public Order Act to place strict conditions on the timing and location of both protests. The Met said officers would remain on duty after the marches had finished. Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of the weekend’s operation, said police would “intervene decisively” to deal with protesters who broke the conditions. He said: “Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely.” Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, faces contempt proceedings at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday after being accused of continuing to talk online about a libel case he lost in 2021. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson not welcome in Glasgow – council leader
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson not welcome in Glasgow – council leader Banzai Japan Music Video Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken has said far-right activist Tommy Robinson is not welcome in the city. The English Defence League (EDL) founder, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted about a “pro-UK” rally in George Square next month. He wrote “the British are rising” as he shared information about the “peaceful protest”, to be held on 7 September. More than 100 people have been arrested at several violent demonstrations in England in recent days following the Southport knife attack. Ms Aitken posted on X: “Glasgow City Council has received no notification of any rally but then we know Tommy Robinson and his ilk don’t really care about respecting laws or public places. “He’s not welcome in Glasgow and neither is anyone who chooses to align with his poisonous rhetoric.” Book Novotel Hotel Mr Yaxley-Lennon – an anti-Islamist activist who is the subject of an arrest warrant after leaving the country on the eve of a major legal case against him – shared a post that said the Glasgow event would coincide with several pro-UK rallies. It said the rally would “share our distrust and fear of the future”. Pro-UK events are also being organised in other parts of Scotland. Arrests were made earlier this week at demonstrations in Southport, Manchester, London and Hartlepool. Dal Babu, former Chief Superintendent and firearms commander in the Met, has blamed the disorder on the “reckless” spread of misinformation about the identity of the suspect charged in the Southport stabbing. Banzai Japan Music Video ‘Evil ideology’ Mr Yaxley-Lennon did not indicate if he intended to attend the Glasgow event. Scotland’s former first minister, Humza Yousaf, has called for the EDL to be proscribed under terrorism laws following the riot in Southport. Merseyside Police said the rioters – who threw bricks at a mosque following a knife attack which killed three girls on Monday – was made up of EDL supporters. In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Mr Yousaf claimed “Britain has a far-right problem”, urging her to use anti-terrorism powers to make membership of the group illegal. “It is time we took on the English Defence League and the evil ideology that drives them,” he wrote. The former SNP leader added that such action would not provide an “overnight fix”, but would demonstrate the UK government’s intention to be “proactive in tackling far-right violence and terror that has been allowed to run rampant in the streets of the UK for far too long”. Mr Yaxley-Lennon has insisted that the EDL no longer exists. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for a “clamp down” on social media activity that he says is ramping up hatred and spreading disinformation in the wake of the Southport killings. Mr Sarwar said the violence and disorder seen in the town and elsewhere was “unacceptable and reprehensible”. He told BBC Scotland News it was the responsibility of the UK government, police, security services and also social media companies. ‘Toxic values’ Scottish Green co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie has written to other Holyrood parliamentarians from the city calling for a united response against the rally. “The last few days have shown clearly the contempt the far right have for a grieving community, and they must not be allowed to continue to promote their toxic values unchallenged,” he said. “I have no doubt that those of us who stand against them will far outnumber them if they do gather in Glasgow.” Stand Up to Racism Scotland responded to Mr Yaxley-Lennon’s post by announcing it would also stage a demonstration in George Square on 7 September. The group said it would be a “safely stewarded, family-friendly, demonstration open to all anti-racists and anti-fascists to stand in unity against those stirring up hate and division in our city”. There is no requirement for groups to notify Glasgow City Council of rallies or static protests, as would be the case for a public procession. However, groups seeking to stage an event at George Square would be expected to seek permission to use the space. A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “No permission has been sought or granted.” Mr Yaxley-Lennon had been due in court for allegedly breaching an order not to repeat lies about a Syrian refugee. If he does not does not return, the case will be heard in his absence after 28 October – and could lead to a jail sentence. He has been convicted of a string of offences previously, including assault, mortgage fraud, threatening behaviour and possession of drugs. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
St Johnstone probe MacPherson over Tommy Robinson post
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel St Johnstone probe MacPherson over Tommy Robinson post Banzai Japan Music Video St Johnstone FC are investigating after midfielder Cammy MacPherson shared a post on social media by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The 25-year-old retweeted a film made by the English Defence League founder, in which he repeats false claims he made about a refugee that led to him losing a libel case in 2021. Fans of the club voiced anger over the post on social media – after which MacPherson removed the retweet and made his X profile private. The BBC understands St Johnstone has been made aware of the matter and is dealing with it internally. Book Novotel Hotel It comes after violent unrest involving far-right groups in cities across England and Northern Ireland over the last week. Police officers have been injured, places of worship attacked and businesses set on fire – including a Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, near Rotherham, used to house more than 200 asylum seekers. The disorder began the night after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a dance class in Southport. Convicted criminal Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has since posted about “pro-UK” rallies in cities including Glasgow next month, saying “the British are rising”. MacPherson reshared a post by Yaxley-Lennon from 27 July, two nights before the stabbing, promoting his film as “Britain’s banned documentary”. St Johnstone supporters were quick to voice their disapproval. One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “When you’ve got lots of good people as Saints do trying to build an inclusive club, having your starting midfielder retweeting [expletive] Robinson is absolutely minging.” Another said: “Seeing Cammy MacPherson retweeting bile from Tommy Robinson confirms the boy’s an absolute clown as well as a hopeless footballer, quicker he is out the team the better.” Banzai Japan Music Video Yaxley-Lennon – an anti-Islamist activist – is the subject of an arrest warrant after leaving the country on the eve of a major legal case against him. His Twitter account was suspended in 2018 as the company accused him of breaking its rules on hateful conduct. However he was reinstated on the platform last year after it was bought by Elon Musk. Earlier former Twitter executive Bruce Daisley said that Mr Musk was “largely responsible” for bringing Robinson back onto the platform. He said this had amplified Robinson’s voice “to the extent that he has gone from really the bargain basement of politics to being one of the biggest names orchestrating potentially this ongoing racial conflict”. He added: “So I think Elon Musk is playing a pretty pivotal role, and it’s why it’s such a challenge to try and to prohibit or to regulate what he’s actually doing right now.” Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Rapper to face trial over Tommy Robinson video
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Rapper to face trial over Tommy Robinson video Banzai Japan Music Video A rapper from Birmingham is set to face a trial after posting an allegedly “menacing” video mentioning Tommy Robinson. Omar Abdirizak – known as Twista Cheese – pleaded not guilty to sending a grossly offensive or menacing message via a public communications network at the city’s magistrates’ court on Friday. Book Novotel Hotel A previous charge of conveying false information was dropped. The 30-year-old from Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was granted unconditional bail until the trial on 8 January. Banzai Japan Music Video Mr Abdirizak is alleged to have made the video he posted on social media between 1 and 10 August, before it was then shared by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, on X. In court, the accused was told a police officer would be the sole witness at the forthcoming trial. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson facing new contempt of court allegations
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson facing new contempt of court allegations Banzai Japan Music Video The far-right activist Tommy Robinson is facing a second serious legal action for contempt of court, weeks after leaving the country on the eve of another case. The Attorney General’s Office launched the new action against Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, over alleged breaches of a court order not to repeat defamatory lies about a Syrian refugee. Yaxley-Lennon has not been seen in the UK since he left the country hours before a court case concerning related allegations. The High Court has said it will order the 41-year-old’s arrest if he ignores the case. Book Novotel Hotel Contempt of court is a serious offence against the workings of the justice system. The government definition, external of the offence includes “disobeying or ignoring a court order” – and those found guilty can go to prison for up to two years, get a fine, or both. In July 2021, Syrian teenager Jamal Hijazi won £100,000 in damages following a major defamation battle after Yaxley-Lennon spread false allegations accusing him of being a violent thug. A judge ordered him not to repeat the claims, but last year the founder of the English Defence League returned to them and included them in a film distributed online to his followers. In June, Yaxley-Lennon was ordered to the High Court to answer the allegation that he had ignored the judge’s order. Banzai Japan Music Video Two days before that scheduled hearing in July, Yaxley-Lennon repeated the claims to thousands of his supporters in London’s Trafalgar Square – and the following day took a Channel Tunnel train to France. The Attorney General’s Office said that the latest contempt allegations included the showing of the film at the rally, its publication on the X platform and related instances of alleged breach of the court order in three online interviews. A hearing over the original and new allegations will be held on October 28. The film remains pinned at the top of the Tommy Robinson X account – and in the introduction he stands outside the High Court and accuses judges of gagging him. This afternoon, the account was updated with a message launching a petition and accusing the judiciary of “continued persecution”. Hours after the London rally on 28 July, Yaxley-Lennon went to the Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone, where police officers stopped him under counter-terrorism stop-and-search powers. When he allegedly refused to co-operate, he was arrested and held until 22:00 BST. He then left the country. During the subsequent riots, which developed out of conspiracy theories often promoted on the Tommy Robinson social media channels, critics say he inflamed tensions. One post on his X account declared “Now is the time”. It is not clear whether Yaxley Lennon personally published the post and it was later deleted. When BBC News asked him to clarify why it had been posted, he publicly replied with an F-word response. The High Court has issued an arrest warrant for Yaxley Lennon’s arrest – but it will only be triggered if he does not contact the court by 2 October, to allow him the opportunity to agree to turn up voluntarily on 28 October. So far he has not contacted the court. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson remanded in custody ahead of court date
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson remanded in custody ahead of court date Banzai Japan Music Video Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been taken into custody ahead of a major demonstration by his supporters in London this weekend. Kent Police said a 41-year-old man had been arrested at the direction of the High Court and would appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday in connection with contempt of court allegations. The force said Tommy Robinson has also been charged under his real name of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon with allegedly refusing to provide his phone’s PIN to officers who had stopped and questioned him at the border in Folkestone in July. He was granted bail over that allegation and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 13 November. Book Novotel Hotel The alleged offence under the Terrorism Act is not an accusation that he was planning an attack and relates solely to police powers to examine phones at ports as part of investigations. Mr Yaxley-Lennon is facing potential jail at Monday’s hearing on contempt of court charges. It is alleged he breached an injunction not to repeat lies about a Syrian refugee which had been previously ruled by a judge to be defamatory. Shortly after he entered Folkestone police station on Friday afternoon, the official Tommy Robinson X account confirmed that he had been taken into custody. Banzai Japan Music Video The move to detain Mr Yaxley-Lennon comes less than 24 hours before a major policing operation to contain potentially thousands of his supporters. For weeks, and posting from abroad, he had been urging them to come to London on Saturday, claiming that the state was trying to silence him for speaking out about the impact of immigrants on the UK. Metropolitan Police commanders have put in place a significant operation to contain the protest and separate it from a counter-demonstration. Both the Met and British Transport Police are due to be supported by officers from other forces across the country. The Met said there would be a “significant police presence” to ensure the two groups were kept apart. It is not clear how many people will attend but a similar gathering in London in July saw thousands of Robinson supporters in Trafalgar Square. The activist, who founded the now-defunct English Defence League, has been accused by critics of whipping up tensions during the summer’s riots. Mr Yaxley-Lennon has not been charged with any offences relating to the disturbances. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Plots to harm Tommy Robinson in prison, court told
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Plots to harm Tommy Robinson in prison, court told Banzai Japan Music Video The High Court has said it expects to rule on Friday on whether far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon can challenge his jail conditions. Prison authorities segregated Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the alias Tommy Robinson, after concluding other inmates had put a “mark on his head” and may have been planning to try to kill him. The Luton man says that the segregation at HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, is destroying his mental health and breaching his human rights. Book Novotel Hotel Details of his life in jail reveal he has received more visits than any other inmates as part of a “bespoke regime” to keep him safe – but Yaxley-Lennon says his separation from other inmates is ideologically motivated. He is due to be released on licence at the end of July. Yaxley-Lennon’s High Court application to challenge his prison conditions means an unrelated prosecution – for allegedly refusing to comply with a counter-terrorism search of his phone – has been put back for months. That trial, which relates to his alleged refusal to co-operate with police at the Eurotunnel terminal last July, had been due to begin today. That case has been delayed to allow his challenge to be heard first. The founder of the now-defunct English Defence League was jailed for 18 months last October for breaching a court order which had directed him not to repeat lies about a Syrian refugee. Since November, he has been held in a closed wing at HMP Woodhill. Alisdair Williamson KC, for Yaxley-Lennon, said the conditions amounted to a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights because his client had a complex form of post-traumatic stress disorder. Yaxley-Lennon was said to be concerned that his mental health would deteriorate on release and he would return to substance abuse to cope. He told the court that his client’s treatment did not amount to torture but was unlawful degrading treatment, and he was being dealt with differently partly because of his ideology. Tom Cross KC, for the justice secretary, said the segregation was not a punishment but a carefully considered “bespoke regime” to keep the prisoner safe. Prison authorities had received intelligence that Yaxley-Lennon had “a mark on his head”, he said. Two prisoners had been planning to assault him to “gain kudos and notoriety”. Another tip suggested that an inmate serving a life sentence would kill Yaxley-Lennon if they were ever placed on the same wing. Mr Cross said Yaxley-Lennon had three hours to exercise and use a gym. He can arrange four two-hour long visits a week from friends and family. Some 120 people have been authorised to see him on 93 visits – more than any other inmate. He has a TV and a DVD player and is receiving hundreds of emails from supporters on a dedicated laptop. While that evidence was given, thickly-bearded Yaxley-Lennon could be seen shaking his head on a video link from prison and occasionally gesticulating with his arms. Mr Justice Chamberlain said he hoped to rule on Friday on whether the case would go ahead to a full challenge. Banzai Japan Music Video Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
WH Smith name to disappear from High Street after sale
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel WH Smith name to disappear from High Street after sale Banzai Japan Music Video The name WH Smith, a staple of UK town centres since the Victorian era when it became the country’s principal newspaper distributor, is set to disappear from the High Street after the firm agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital. The sale does not include the WH Smith brand, its travel shops at airports and railway stations or its outlets in hospitals. The new owner will rebrand the High Street chain as TGJones, but said it would keep the Post Office outlets that operate in many branches. Book Novotel Hotel Modella Capital will take over 480 stores in retail parks, shopping centres and on High Streets including 5,000 staff. Modella said it would be “business as usual” while it worked on changes to the store chain including adding new ranges. However, the new owner said the Post Office and Toys “R” Us outlets currently in WH Smith stores, would remain. It would not comment on whether jobs would be cut following the takeover. The private equity firm specialises in retail and consumer businesses and, as well as buying Hobbycraft, has also invested in Crafters’ Companion and The Original Factory Shop. It said the TGJones brand carried “the same sense of family” as WH Smith, which it described as an “iconic” retail business. Banzai Japan Music Video WH Smith’s first shop was in Little Grosvenor Street, London. It opened its first travel retail store in London’s Euston station in 1848. It still sells papers and magazines, alongside books, sweets and snacks and art supplies. WH Smith group chief executive Carl Cowling said the £76m sale, was “a pivotal moment” for the company, which would now focus exclusively on the travel-related side of the business. “High Street is a good business; it is profitable and cash generative with an experienced and high-performing management team,” he said. “However, given our rapid international growth, now is the right time for a new owner to take the High Street business forward.” The travel division operates more than 1,200 stores in 32 countries. Nicholas Found at the consultancy, Retail Economics, said conditions on the High Street were “increasingly unforgiving”. As a result in recent years WH Smith’s travel arm had become its “engine room”, he said. WH Smith’s travel business contributed 75% of the group’s revenue and 85% of its trading profit in 2024. “Its product mix, which includes food, beverages and tech, is better suited to higher-margin, impulse-driven purchases in busy transit hubs,” he added. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol