The UK high street will see a return of a much-loved toy retailer(Image: Getty Images)

Much-loved High Street store announces huge comeback across UK just in time for Christmas

The new rollout means a total of 76 WH Smith stores will have a Toys R Us inside by the end of this year, as part of a major expansion - see a list of confirmed sites so far below

by · The Mirror

Toys R Us has announced plans for a major UK high street expansion - with 37 new concessions to open within WH Smith stores before Christmas.

WH Smith opened its first Toys R Us concessions in June last year and has since expanded its partnership to 39 locations. The new rollout means a total of 76 WH Smith stores will have a Toys R Us inside by the end of this year. WH Smith has announced the first 23 stores that will be getting a Toys R Us, with more sites to be revealed later this year.

You can see the locations already announced in the list below. The high street retailer has confirmed three new Toys R Us shop-in-shops will open every week between September 28 and Christmas, starting in Bexleyheath, Eastbourne and Southampton.

Toys R Us launched in the UK in 1985, when it emerged as the "world's first toy supermarket" but it collapsed into administration in 2018, with all its 100 UK shops closed as a result. Plans for the relaunch were announced in October 2022, with an exclusive deal being struck with WH Smith later confirmed.

Managing director of WHSmith High Street Sean Toal said: "Nearly 40 years ago, Toys R Us first came to the UK, and we take great pride in being the steward of this much-loved brand in the UK. We’ve had queues around the block for many openings in the last year which tells you just how much people are loving seeing Toys R Us back again. But our job isn’t done yet, and I’m pleased to be bringing the magic of Toys R Us to even more customers over the coming months ready for the best time of year – Christmas!"

Speaking of the partnership last year, Simon Cartey, UK commercial director at Toys R Us, said: “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.”

It comes after WH Smith saw like-for-like revenue at its travel shops leapt 7% in the year ending August 31, helping to drive a 5% boost in total turnover. The newsagent, which has 1,100 outlets across the UK, said its travel division performed strongly over the key spring and summer months, aided by “strong passenger numbers”.

Toys R Us list of new stores

  • Bath
  • Leicester Gallowtree Gate
  • Bexleyheath
  • Newark
  • Cardiff
  • Newbury
  • Carlisle
  • Plymouth
  • Chipping Norton
  • Scarborough
  • Coventry
  • Southampton
  • Dumfries
  • Southport
  • Dunfermline
  • St Annes
  • Eastbourne
  • Truro
  • Fareham
  • Weymouth
  • Havant
  • Yeovil
  • Kings Lynn