Children’s toys are set to return to the Metrocentre Retail Park after it was revealed that Smyths Toys is opening a new Gateshead store.
Smyths Toys’ aim to open a new shop opposite the Metrocentre was revealed when the company submitted a planning application with Gateshead Council to install a huge sign outside the premises.
The arrival of the toy seller is a welcome addition to the retail park, which has suffered a number of closures over the last few years.
The most noticeable closure was Toys ‘R’ Us, which shut its doors when the company entered administration in March 2018. The closure led to the loss of 3,000 jobs across the UK, including many at its stores in Gateshead, Sunderland and Stockton.
Toys ‘R’ Us’ previous home at the Metrocentre Retail Park remains vacant, with Smyths Toys opting not to move into the abandoned site. Instead Smyths will be based four doors down at unit 3b, the former home of Office Outlet.
Office Outlet - previously known as Staples - was also forced to close its Gateshead branch when the company went into administration. Its collapse affected 1,200 jobs and led to the business closing three stores in the North East, including its branch at Kingston Park in Newcastle, and Stockton’s Teesside Retail Park.
As of yet, it is unknown when Smyths Toys will open its new branch or how many jobs will be created at the store.
Smyths appears to be filling the void left by Toys ‘R’ Us in the toy retail sector and the company has already revealed a number of store openings this year, including in Lincoln, Portsmouth, and Thanet.
The retailer already operates five branches in the North East in Durham, Stockton, Wallsend in North Tyneside, Team Valley in Gateshead, and Sunderland.
