Alteri and Modella Capital are the only two parties remaining in talks, according to Sky News

There are only two buyers left in the race to buy retailer WH Smith’s ailing high street division, according to a report.

The retail group confirmed in January it was seeking a buyer for its 500 UK high street shops, in a shake-up that would leave it free to focus on its more successful travel arm, where it has stores in railway stations, airports and hospitals in the UK and abroad.