Retailer Whsmith is selling high street stores to Modella Capital.
However, Whsmith retains more profitable travel shops operated from airports, train stations and hospitals.
In York, Whsmith has branches such as Coney Street, Monks Cross and York Railway Station.
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Harrogate has branches at the district hospital and Victoria Shopping Centre.
Other North Yorkshire branches include Marketplace and Ripon. Gowthorpe, Selby. Wheel Gate, Malton; Marketplace, Thirsk and Scarborough, Westborough.
Nationwide, the company's high street operations consisted of approximately 500 stores, the first of which opened 230 years ago.
Over the past decade, the company has focused on more fruitful travel retail.
High Street Business currently accounts for only about 15% of annual group trading profits.
Attempts to sell these stores have been taking place in recent years, with ten stores rebranded as WHS in December 2023, including York's Connie Street, highlighting a failed move that was abandoned a few months later to highlight its offering.
Sharing details of today's sales, Smith said all stores, colleagues, assets and liabilities from high street businesses will move under Modellack's ownership as part of the transaction.
Modella already owns Hobbycraft and Original Factory Shop and is also considering purchasing Lakeland
Whsmith added that if the High Street chain operates a short transition period under the Whsmith brand, the business will be rebranded as Tgjones.
“We are pleased to announce that we are committed to providing a range of services to our customers,” said Carl Cowling, Whsmith Group Chief Executive Officer.
“We have built a highly successful travel business operating in a rapidly growing market in 32 countries, offering strong returns and constantly innovating to meet the needs of our customers and partners.
“Our travel business currently accounts for approximately 75% of the group's revenue and 85% of the transaction profits.
“The continued strength in the UK travel sector and the scale of growth opportunities in both North America and the rest of the world, we are in the strongest position to drive growth as we move forward as purely play travel retailers.
“As the travel business grew, the UK's high street business has become a much smaller part of the Whsmith group.
“High Street is a good business, with an experienced and performant management team, it is profitable and cash generation.
“But given our rapid international growth, it is the right time for new owners to move forward with high street business and the Whsmith leadership team to focus solely on the travel business.
“I hope the High Street team will succeed.
“I am excited about the group, which focuses on simplified travel, and I am excited about the group's future prospects.
“With a clear strategy, a strong balance sheet and high growth and operation in attractive markets, we are positioned well to generate significant growth and value for all stakeholders.”
