Could Toys 'R' Us reopen its Metrocentre and Teesside Park stores

The once-huge toy shop, which had sites across the region, was the go to place back in the day for all things toys, dolls, model railways and more.

With huge warehouse-style stores in the Metrocentre Retail Park, Teesside Park and a smaller store at The Bridges in Sunderland, it proved popular for decades.

Read more: Pictures suggest Harrods could move into ex House of Fraser in Metrocentre

Following the company going into administration back in 2018, all stores - including the three above - were permanently closed.

The former site at the Metro Retail Park in Gateshead Picture: GOOGLE

A 'significant milestone'

But to the excitement of many, the retailer this week announced it is making a big comeback to the UK and will be trading as early as next year.

In a statement, Toys 'R' Us bosses described the move as a "significant milestone" for the company as it said a similar relaunch in Australia had been successful.

The company today has more than 900 stores and e-commerce sites across more than 25 countries and says it generates more than $2 billion a year in sales.

Dr Louis Mittoni, chief executive officer and managing director of Toys"R"Us, said it had been able to "scale" quickly abroad as customers returned to the "much-loved" brand.

But could stores reopen in the North East?

Before falling into administration, Toys 'R' Us had around 100 stores across the UK - with around 3,000 employed.

Toys 'R' Us has not yet confirmed whether any stores will reopen in the North East, although some existing sites have remained vacant since 2018.

Those include the large warehouse style shops such as the Metro Retail Park and Teesside Park, which have also remained vacant, and could potentially see re-use.

What the timeframes are

Toys 'R' Us has said there are plans to commence online sales to the UK over the next several months, initially from existing operations in Australia.

It has said from there it will establish local teams, offices and logistics facilities in the UK over the 2022 and 2023 period.

It has already confirmed that it will be looking at physical retail stores in the UK as it has signed such agreements to do so. 

In the statement, it said it had obtained a long-term agreement to run digital and physical retail commerce for both its Toys and Babies 'R' Us brands in the UK.

What Toys 'R' Us has said in full

Dr Louis Mittoni, chief executive officer and managing director of Toys"R"Us, said: "Tailoring our successful Australian relaunch plan to the UK echoes the success of other e-commerce 'platform play' businesses that have delivered growth and value due to their ability to quickly and cost effectively expand their software, processes, partner relationships and brands into new countries.

"Since Toys"R"Us' return to Australia in June 2019, we have scaled quickly as customers returned to the much-loved brand and our e-commerce model has proven its success.

"My team and I are looking forward to developing technical and commercial relationships with UK-based vendors and partners and to engage with the many loyal Toys"R"Us former customers and fans in the UK."

The Northern Echo has approached Toys 'R' Us for clarification on its North East locations.

Are you looking forward to its return? Let us know in the comments below

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