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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Ripon author to sign copies of best-selling book tomorrow
After demand for The Bad Room went through the roof, Ripon author Jade Kelly’s debut book has been reprinted by publisher Harper Collins.
The author, who manages the Navigation Inn at Bondgate Green, features the harrowing true story about the abuse she and other children suffered when they were fostered by an evil woman.
From 11am and 1pm tomorrow, Jade will be signing copies at The Little Ripon Bookshop in Westgate.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“Though the launch plan was disrupted by the covid lockdowns, once the book hit the shelves demand for it went through the roof and to date, 35,000 copies have been sold.
“It appears to have caught the eye of many people – perhaps because it tackles issues that have come to prominence in a number of high-profile inquiries.”
Ranked in the UK as the third best-selling in its genre, the book, which is also available as a download on Apple and Kindle, has been in the top five Amazon best sellers and is in constant reprint.
Ms Kelly has rebuilt her life and been manager of the Navigation since moving to Ripon in 2019.
The Bad Room shares details of the emotional, physical and mental abuse that Ms Kelly suffered as a child and led to her becoming an ambassador for the Maggie Oliver Foundation, which supports survivors of abuse.
The foundation was set up by police detective-turned-whistleblower Margaret Oliver, who resigned from Greater Manchester Police and exposed the now infamous Rochdale grooming scandal.
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Me Kelly said:
“Writing it brought back many bad memories, but at the same time I felt it helped in my own healing process.
“I hope that reading it will help others who are facing, or have faced similar situations.”
As well as being available at the Little Ripon Bookshop, The Bad Room is on sale at WH Smith, Waterstones and from Amazon.