Exact date new Toys R Us store will open in Essex high street

A brand new Toys R Us shop-in-shop will open in Chelmsford High Street later this summer. The famous toy retailer is returning to Essex five years after they collapsed into administration and closed all their stores.

The popular toy shop will be opening concessions inside WH Smiths stores across the UK, including on the High Street in Chelmsford. Their new store will open to customers on Saturday, July 1, this summer.

There will be a grand opening event for customers from 8.30am to 1pm. The ever-friendly Geoffrey the Giraffe will join WHSmith staff for an official ribbon cutting before greeting visitors throughout the morning.

The first 30 children to visit will receive a free goody bag worth over £20. Doors will open from 8.30am.

The new Toys R Us shop-in-shop will feature a key range of products and activities from top toys brands including Barbie, Bluey, Fisher Price, Hot Wheels, LEGO, Marvel, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Playmobil, Star Wars and more. Children will be able to try out the latest products and play hands-on with their favourite toys at the demonstration tables in store.

A lifesize Geoffrey the Giraffe sculpture, great for photo opportunities, will also feature in the new Toys R Us shop-in-shop. As well as a store in Chelmsford[2], there will be openings in York, Canterbury, Cheltenham, Cwmbran, Oxford, Poole, Reading and Solihull.

Essex previously had Toys R Us stores at Lakeside in Grays, Harlow, Ilford, Enfield and Basildon. Toys R Us collapsed into administration in 2018, with all its 100 UK shops closed as a result. The toy retailer sparked excitement in September last year when it relaunched its website just weeks before Christmas, selling around 14,000 toys from over 100 suppliers.

WHSmith High Street managing director Sean Toal previously said: “At WHSmith, we’re always exploring new opportunities to launch exciting, new product ranges to our customers on the high street, and our partnership with Toys R Us certainly does this! The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well.

“Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout.”

Simon Cartey, UK commercial director at Toys R Us, added: “Our new Toys R Us shop-in-shops at WHSmith create the perfect home for Toys R Us as it returns to the UK high street shopping scene.

“With this collaboration, we are not only bringing back the beloved Toys R Us experience but also providing convenient access to a wide range of toys and games. Together, we hope to create a magical and joyful shopping destination for families across the country.”

Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985, when it emerged as the "world's first toy supermarket". Last year, owner WHP Global signed an agreement with Toys R Us Australia to lead the brand's revival in the UK.

References

  1. ^ Boots to shut 300 stores in the UK putting dozens in Essex at risk (www.essexlive.news)
  2. ^ As well as a store in Chelmsford (www.essexlive.news)

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