Plans to bring a popular toy store to Weymouth has delighted many.

Following the news that Toys R Us is planning to open 37 new stores across the UK, including one in Weymouth, many have shared their joy.

It is understood that the new store will open in the WH Smith shop on St Mary Street, in the upstairs area which is currently blocked off to the public.

Toys R Us announced plans for a relaunch in October 2022, before striking an exclusive deal with WHSmith for concessions in the UK.

The toy shop chain had gone bust in February 2018, shutting the doors on all of its 100 shops and resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs.

Margaret Early said she ‘used to love taking her children to Toys R Us.’

She said: “We had a massive one in Coventry. It was a superstore, but they closed it down and made it into a Home Bargains. Now that they are opening again, my kids are all grown up.

“We used to love going there. They would collect their pocket money up and spend it at Toys R Us.

“I like to see the stores come back. It’s sad to see them go.”

L-R Elaine Stephenson, Margaret Storey and Faye JonesL-R Elaine Stephenson, Margaret Storey and Faye Jones (Image: NQ)

With plans to open the store before Christmas, many are hoping that it could help to make present shopping a bit easier.

Elaine Stephenson said: “I think it would be brilliant. It’s really awkward trying to buy toys as we have to go much further. At one time we used to go to Toys R Us and the car park would be full.”

James Fry said: “I think it’s going to be in WH Smith. It should be good for Christmas time.”

At present, the closest Toys R Us is located at Towngate Shopping Centre in Poole and before that, there was a large one at the Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole which shut its doors in 2018.

Emily Jones said: “I think it’s a great idea to open more around the country. I used to love going to Toys R Us when I was a kid.”

Another local resident who preferred not to be named said: “I think it is a good idea. There’s not a lot of toy shops in the area other than Toy Master. When there was one in Poole, we used to go and have a look around so it’s probably a good idea that they open one in Weymouth.”