Toy shop in former Lloyds Bank has a busy opening weekend

Toytopia in Victoria Road welcomed customers of all ages on Saturday for its grand opening.

With nostalgic toys including alien eggs and stretchy men on offer, owners Billy Saint and Hannah Foote welcomed a constant flow of people.

Billy said: “A lot of people heard about us thanks to the Daily Echo and social media, and so far, it has been a very good opening day.

“It is really great for the community to have a shop like this as well and people have told us the area needed it.

“I noticed there are not many places you can buy toys from with pocket money, so Hannah and I wanted to step in and do that.

“The shop is not about money making for us, it is all about the community and what we can offer.

“Technology is everywhere right now so it is nice for children – and adults – to have physical interactions with toys.”

Billy Saint and Hannah Foote of Toytopia (Image: Newsquest) The stock in the shop was inspired by some of Hannah and Billy’s childhood favourites.

“I would have to say the alien eggs are my favourite, I had them when I was younger”, Billy said.

Hannah added: “I like the loom band making kit, but also the LEGO sets.”

Although a small shop, the store inside the old Lloyds Bank building in Woolston will only get bigger, they say.

Billy said: “We are only a small shop now but we do plan to grow.

“We want it to appeal to all ages, which is why we have the pocket money section, board games, and more expensive toys like LEGO.

“It is not just for children either.

“We are hoping to expand outside of this shop space, and we have lots of ideas.

“Currently, we have a lot of customers but not much room.”

Although Toytopia has only been open for a day, the most popular toys were easily spotted.

Billy said: “The alien eggs have proven to be really popular so far, but we have also sold some board games and puzzles.

“It is really nice for people to have a selection.”

Toytopia is located within the old Lloyds Bank on Victoria Road, which has now been converted into “The Bunker”, a shared space where residents can get their own plot to set up stalls or stores to sell their own products.