For generations, it was the go-to toy store in Swansea. Many magical childhood moments were spent at Toys ‘R’ Us in Parc Tawe Retail Park, whether it was picking out the perfect birthday or Christmas present, or just larking around with your friends.
The aisles of the huge store, which is now home to Aldi and Ninja Warrior UK, would be filled with all the latest trending toys, board games, gadgets and ride-along kids’ cars among hundreds of other items.
It was truly an end of an era when its doors shut for a final time on April 22, 2018, when the company went into administration, and for many years, it felt like the iconic high street name would never return. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here
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But now, more than six years later, the store has made a comeback, as a shop-in-shop at WHSmith at Quadrant Shopping Centre. Swansea is one of 30 WHSmith stores set to open a new shop-in-shop from Toys ‘R’ Us this year, following an initial launch of nine stores in 2023. Last month saw the first of the new Toys ‘R’ Us stores launch, with over 300 people queuing up to mark the opening of Fosse Park. Further openings this summer include locations such as Nottingham, Brighton and Halifax.
The grand opening will be on Saturday, July 13, from 8.30am until 1pm, and will see Geoffrey the Giraffe join the WHSmith team for an official ribbon cutting, before greeting visitors to the store throughout the morning. The first 50 children visiting the store will also receive a free Toys ‘R’ Us goody bag worth over £20.
The new store features a range of products and activities from top toy brands including Barbie, Bluey, Hot Wheels, LEGO, Marvel, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Squishmallows, Star Wars and more. Children will have access to the latest products and play hands-on with their favourite toys at the in-store demonstration tables. A lifesize Geoffrey the Giraffe sculpture, great for photo opportunities, will also feature in the new shop.
Swansea’s Quadrant shopping centre manager, Lisa Hartley said: “The addition of Toys ‘R’ Us within our WHSmith, will strengthen our offer at the Quadrant and give shoppers even more reasons to visit. We are also proud to be chosen as one of only 30 UK-wide shopping destinations to house a new-concept WHSmith.
“The ‘shop-in-shop’ concept will certainly elevate the WHSmith experience and will help diversify its offer with the addition of the much-loved Toys ‘R’ Us brand. As an already strong shop which stocks books, stationery and an in-house Post Office, the addition of toys will be a huge pull for customers. Having opened The Entertainer in 2021, we know there is a strong appetite in Swansea for more toy shops, so we are excited to watch Toys ‘R’ Us flourish as part of the Quadrant.”
And group commercial development director for WHSmith, Ian Sanders, added: “We’re really excited to be opening Toys ‘R’ Us in Swansea. WHSmith is known for being the Hub of the High Street by providing customers with a range of great products and services. Partnering with Toys R Us gives us a leading toys and games range in our stores and means customers have even more reasons to shop with us. We look forward to welcoming many more customers into our store.”
The entrance to the store with the famous logo
(Image: reTHINK PR)The action figures and outdoor sections
(Image: reTHINK PR)The technology aisle
(Image: reTHINK PR)Geoffrey can be seen throughout the store
(Image: reTHINK PR)The Lego section
(Image: reTHINK PR)Collectables can be purchased
(Image: reTHINK PR)There’s even a photo opportunity
(Image: reTHINK PR)