An iconic toy retailer could be making a comeback to Southampton’s high street.
Toys R Us closed all its 100 UK stores six years ago following fierce online competition.
Among them was the large shop near Southampton Central Station, which has remained derelict for several years.
But the retail giant is eyeing up space in Above Bar Street to bring the beloved store back.
The new shop will be located in the existing WHSmith shop, according to the planning application.
If approved, a large Toys R Us sign will be erected above the shop’s entrance.
The brand, owned by WHP Global, has teamed up with WHSmith to launch a series of Toys R Us shop-in-shops across the UK.
It is not yet known when the toy chain may open in the shop.
Although the popular brand could return, it will be on a much smaller scale to that of the previous store in the city.
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The Toys R Us building on Western Esplanade has sat derelict since the retailer's collapse in 2018, apart from being used to store donations for Ukraine in March 2022.
A scheme for 600 build-to-rent flats on the site was approved by Southampton City Council in 2022.
Packaged Living's plans for the land involve demolishing the store, levelling the site and building four blocks between seven and 25 storeys.
A fifth eight-storey building is in the pipeline for the site between Western Esplanade and Harbour Parade, with its use yet to be decided.
Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985, enjoying success for 33 years until its collapse.
In 2021 the toy chain launched an online store in its gradual return to UK high streets.
The following year, WHSmith confirmed that they would launch a small-scale trial of Toys ‘R’ Us areas in nine of its high street stores early next year.
This formed part of its trial period.
Several Toys R Us stores have already opened in WHSmith shops, in locations including Guildford, Derby and Leicester.
The firm’s move to open the first concessions last year marked a return for the children’s chain following its collapse more than six years ago.
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