WH Smith's own customers have mixed feelings about the store and its future.

Many find that the store is not offering them the choice they want, they also find that some of the prices are steep.

Emma Kemp, 31, a homemaker from Cheney Manor said: "I am finding I use WH Smith less, it's quite expensive and I often find the items I want far cheaper elsewhere in the town or on the Internet.

"I only really go in there for stationery now. They really need to radically look at prices, and start cutting them."

Stuart Kent, 16, a college student from Stratton said: "I like the range of products but I mostly only go in there for DVDs or magazines.

"There are some over priced items so I hardly ever go in there."

Semi Retired Roy Hicks, 61 from Blunsdon said: "I think it has been deteriorating gradually over the last few years.

"When I go in there, I do not seem to be able to find what I am looking for.

"There is a lot of competition from other stores now and I think most people just go in there for magazines that they cannot get in smaller outlets."

Others feel the shops still provide a good service.

Retired Malcolm Furner, 66 from Eldene said: "I find it a good shop, they have good products."