Toys R Us set to open 23 more locations before Christmas as it makes a UK high street comeback – see the full list

TOYS R US has revealed the full list of areas it is set to open new stores - and they'll be up and running before Christmas.

The iconic 90s toys retailer is to launch 23 new shops following the successful opening of dozens in the last year.

However, the new stores are not standalone sites, but are "shop-in-shops" and are located inside WHSmith stores.

The new branches will open from Saturday September 28, with Bexleyheath, Eastbourne and Southampton among the first areas to get one.

Shoppers can browse and play with toys in-store and each branch will feature a demonstration area where customers can try products out-of-the-box and see how toys and games work before purchasing.

Customers can then pick their toys off the shelf as normal and go to the WHSmith tills to pay.

WHSmith will then continue to open an average of three Toys R Us shop-in-shops every week in the build up to Christmas.

The new stores will bring a wide range of the latest toys and games to more families and customers.

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!"

The first Toys R Us store to open in a WHSmith branch was in York (Monks Cross retail park) on June 10 last year.

A new online store launched in September 2022 and started selling over 14,000 toys from over 100 different suppliers.

Toys R Us collapsed in 2018 and closed all of its 100 UK branches, but announced plans for a relaunch in October 2021.

Toys R Us was founded in 1957 by American businessman Charles P Lazarus.

It quickly expanded from its first store in Wayne, New Jersey, to become a chain of more than 1,500 stores worldwide.

Toys R Us mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe - originally known as Dr G Raffe - was introduced in 1969.

We visited one of the biggest Toys R Us shop-in-shops on Broad Street in Reading which was one of six to open in July 2023.

Our reporter was not expecting too much at first but was pleasantly surprised - read our exclusive report to find out more.

What other retailers have made a comeback?

It has been a tough time for retailers since Covid and the last few years have seen many vanish from our high streets.

The rising cost of living and expensive rents have all been playing a part in the demise of some of our much-loved high street names.

However, as with Toys R Us, some have managed to make a comeback.

Last year much-loved retailer Wilko fell into administration and closed all of its shops in September 2023, leaving Brits heartbroken.

However, a glimmer of hope was given when the brand name was scooped up by The Range, in a £5million deal - meaning that the name would live on.

Customers were overjoyed after learning the store was being relaunched online, and even more so when in a surprising turn of events, physical branches started to open up again.

Locations have since popped up Plymouth, Exeter, Luton, St Albans and Rotherham.

In October last year, Paperchase also made a return after closing all of its 134 shops and concessions earlier in the year.

Fans of the brand were devastated when the retailer disappeared from the high street in April after falling into administration.

However, supermarket giant Tesco stepped in and bought the rights to the brand and then went on to launch it in some of its stores.

A total of 261 Tesco stores now stock Paperchase products - we have the full list.

More recently fashion retailer M&Co who also closed all of its stores after collapsing into administration announced it would be opening a brand new location.

The new store in Newton Mearns, Scotland, will be opening where a previous store was located before going into administration.

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