A new planning application suggests that Toys R Us is set to launch a concession in a part of WH Smith’s Harrogate store.
The application, which was received by North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday, is for cosmetic modifications to the Victoria Shopping Centre store, including an “aluminium panel with upstand 5400 x 1300 x 40mm” – in other words, a large sign above the entrance doors.
Images produced by Hull firm Greens the Signmakers accompany the application and show how the frontage would look, with a large Toys R Us sign above the main entrance of WH Smith.
An illustration of how the shop frontage would change. Images: Greens the Signmakers.
Toys R Us was founded in New Jersey in 1948 and opened its first UK store in 1985. At its peak, the group had 105 stores in the UK, but it went into administration and closed them all in 2018.
The revitalised brand, owned since 2021 by WHP Global, started trading solely online until last year, when it announced a new deal with WH Smith, which saw the launch of Toys R Us concessions in nine UK stores. The one at Monk’s Cross retail park in York is the only one north of the Midlands.
In its interim results announcement for the six months to the end of February 2024, released on Thursday, April 25, WH Smith said:
“As part of our approach to space management, we will be extending our partnership with Toys R Us in the second half. We have recently signed a new exclusive agreement to deliver a further 30 store-in-stores by the end of this financial year.”
The Stray Ferret has contacted Victoria Shopping Centre for further details.
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