UK Book Retail Shake-Up, Vinci Books CEO Appointment & Children’s Booker Prize 2027 Updates

TG Jones faces store closures, Vinci Books names new CEO, and the Children’s Booker Prize 2027 reveals its judging panel and format.

on Apr 30, 2026

UK Book Retail Shake-Up, Vinci Books CEO Appointment & Children’s Booker Prize 2027 Updates

High Street Shake-Up, Leadership Moves, and a New Chapter for Children’s Literature

The U.K.’s high street could soon see a major shift. Modella Capital, which acquired WH Smith’s high-street bookshop business last year, is reportedly preparing a significant restructuring of TG Jones.

According to reports, the plan may involve closing up to 100 of TG Jones’ 480 stores. For the shops that remain, landlords could face substantial rent reductions. The restructuring is expected to use a controversial legal mechanism known as a “cram-down,” which allows changes to be approved with limited creditor consent provided a High Court judge agrees. To proceed, TG Jones must demonstrate that without this plan, the only alternative would be administration, and that creditors would not be worse off.

The move has already stirred unease among landlords, many of whom had anticipated some level of restructuring after Modella took over. Adding to the changes, leadership at TG Jones has also shifted. Sean Toal stepped down earlier this year, with Alex Willson taking over the role.

A New Era at Vinci Books

In another major development in publishing, Charlie Redmayne, former CEO of HarperCollins UK, has been appointed CEO of Vinci Books and has also acquired a stake in the company.

Founded in 2024 by entrepreneur Mark Smith, Vinci Books blends traditional publishing with technology-driven tools. With over 2,000 titles already published, the company is positioning itself as a hybrid model for the future of publishing.

Redmayne, who led HarperCollins UK for over a decade, emphasized his focus on innovation and digital transformation, calling Vinci “a forward-looking business.” Smith, now executive chairman, described Redmayne as the ideal leader to guide the company’s next phase of growth.

Spotlight on Young Readers: Children’s Booker Prize Takes Shape

Meanwhile, the literary world is preparing for the inaugural Children’s Booker Prize, a new award celebrating outstanding fiction for readers aged 8–12.

The judging panel brings together a diverse mix of voices. Award-winning author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce will chair the panel, joined by actor and comedian Lolly Adefope and bookseller Sanchita Basu De Sarkar.

In a unique twist, young readers themselves will help decide the winner. After the adult judges shortlist eight books, three children aged 8–12 will join the panel to select the final winner. The shortlist will be announced on November 24, with the winner revealed on February 2, 2027.