
It was back in 1792 when Henry Walton Smith and his wife, Anna, opened their first newsvendors on Little Grosvenor Street, London. Little did they know that their small, unassuming shop would grow to become one of the UK’s leading retailers, and a brand synonymous with the British high street. Times have certainly changed since the opening of the first WHSmith, 225 years ago. To give you some context during our 225th anniversary, here’s a little glimpse of what life was like back in 1792 compared to today.