You might not spot it if you were in a hurry, but the final physical signage change for the long-awaited takeover by Modella Capital of the WHSmith high street, business park and online retail brand is now taking place with agents Image Technique in the process of obtaining planning consent for the change that ensures WHSmith becomes TGJones.

As most recently reported in Punchline in June, some 464 retail outlets have been snapped up by Modella, along with a payroll of 5,000 staff across the UK. Originally set to sell for 76m and then £52m, WHSmith which has a high street presence in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Cirencester and Tewkesbury, received £40m for the business due to weaker trading conditions.

Among frontrunners for the subtle new look is set to be WHSmiths' site at 20, Kings Street in Stroud, which is in a conservation area and so necessitated a higher level of scrutiny.

Applicant Deb Smith (presumably no relation), on behalf of Image Technique, who are carrying out the rebranding signage for the takeover, told Stroud District Council: "The signs will replace like for like the exiting signage, with no addition signs, change to size or colour. The fixings to the elevation will be in keeping with those already in use so that no further drilling for fixtures will be required."

LED trough light for double sided illumination to the new hoarding has also been agreed for the site, which is next door to estate agents Andrews and close to the town's Subway takeaway.

Sean Toal, TGJones chief executive, said: "We are very excited by the potential of the TGJones business. With the committed and talented team we have in place, and with supportive owners, we can build on our heritage, while innovating and delivering a refreshed and compelling offering for our customers."

WHsmith began as a business story in 1792 as a news vendor on Little Grosvenor Street in Mayfair, owned by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna. The shop was taken over by their youngest son William Henry Smith in 1812, who went on to rename the company WH Smith & Son in 1846 when his son, also called William Henry, joined him as a partner. The name TGJones was created by Modella to mark the change of ownership while signalling at least a subliminal level of familiarity.

● Modella Capital cannot immediately close any WHSmith high street stores it may judge to be unviable due to a year-long transitional services agreement (TSA) with WHSmith, which prevents mass closures or the initiation of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) before the transaction's first anniversary (which will be March 28, 2026). This clause, put in place to allow Modella Capital time to assess the new acquisition, it also grants them use of WHSmith's systems during the transition period.