Earlier this week WH Smith confirmed that "it is exploring potential strategic options for this profitable and cash generative part of the Group, including a possible sale".  

The first of WH Smith's 500 high street stores opened more than 230 years ago

In a statement they explained a desire to focus efforts on becoming a more focused global travel retailer.

WH Smith announced that 17 of its stores across the UK will close before May. The stores – and the month they close – are:

January

Bournemouth, Dorset

Luton, Bedfordshire

February

Basingstoke, Hampshire

Bournemouth (Winton), Dorset

Rhyl, Denbighshire

Bolton, Greater Manchester

March

Accrington, Lancashire

April

Halstead, Essex

Halesowen, West Midlands

Diss, Norfolk

Newport, South Wales

Haverhill, Suffolk

May

Stockton, County Durham

Oldham, Greater Manchester

TBC

Orpington, South London

"The Group's Travel business has over 1,200 stores across 32 countries, and three-quarters of the Group's revenue and  85% of its trading profit comes from the Travel business" they explained in a statement.