Toys R Us is returning to Britain’s high streets over the summer as part of the ongoing revival of the children’s chain.
WHSmith has revealed the 17 locations for the next wave of toy retailer shops to launch within the high street group’s stores in the coming months.
This comes amid a wave of store closures that have decimated local communities, as well impacted the wider UK economy, over recent years.
Nine Toys R Us shop-in-shops have already opened in WHSmiths’ across the UK through the retail partnership with the brand.
The next tranche of 17 shops will open nationally in the next two months as WHSmith seeks to bring back a brand “known and loved” since the 80s.
Three of the stores in Hereford, Leamington Spa and Fosse Park are set to open as soon as May 25.
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The toy brand opened nine new stores across the UK last year
PA
Here is a full list of the WHSmith stores which will include Toys R Us shops within them from this summer:
- Hereford, Herefordshire
- Fosse Park, Leicester
- Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
- Guildford, Surrey
- Sutton, Surrey
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
- Salisbury, Wiltshire
- Victoria shopping centre, Nottingham
- Maidstone, Kent
- Woking, Surrey
- Hastings, East Sussex
- Thurrock, Essex
- Newton Abbott, Devon
- Halifax, West Yorkshire
- Lancaster, Lancashire
- George Street, Richmond, London
- Taunton, Somerset.
The company’s decision to open the first Toys R Us shop-in-shops in 2024 signalled a return of the toy retailer to high streets.
More than six years ago, Toys R Us collapsed into administration and ceased operations in the UK.
The brand closed all its 100 shops which resulted in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs.
It announced plans for a relaunch in October 2022, before striking an exclusive deal with WHSmith for concessions in the UK.
The revival of Toys R US have came about through a partnership with WH Smith
PA
Sean Toal, high street managing director at WHSmith, said: “I have seen first-hand how positively our customers have responded to the new ranges.
“Many tell me it feels like a back to the future moment – a brand they had known and loved since the mid-80s which is back to deliver the magic to a whole new generation of families.”
“From Hereford to Hastings, today we’ve unveiled the first 17 locations for the new Toys R Us stores in WHSmith.
“Not only is this an exceptionally exciting time for our colleagues and customers, but we’re also proud to be bucking the trend by continuing to invest in the UK high street.”
