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Memories of Nottingham’s Toys R Us and other much-loved toy shops
Whether it was Baby Annabell or a Star Wars’ electronic lightsabre, everyone has a favourite memory of going to a toy shop to spend their birthday money. Nottingham still has popular toy shops including Smyths in Sneinton and The Entertainer in Victoria Centre.
But others have sadly been consigned to the historic books. Skills, which once stood in Chapel Bar in the 60s and 70s, was a magical place where you could spend hours before being dragged out by your parents. A younger generation will remember Toys R Us at Riverside Retail Park, Victoria Centre and St Peter’s Retail Park in Mansfield.
It closed down in 2018 after the company collapsed into administration. The retailer recently announced it would return to the high street with concessions in WH Smiths stores starting this Saturday. However, none of the nine locations are in Nottingham.
Other blasts from the past are Beatties, in Mount Street, popular for train sets, Subbuteo and model-making, and the toy department in the Co-op in Upper Parliament Street, where every Christmas the grotto was THE place to meet Santa.
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The Disney Store used to be on the corner of Clumber Street and Upper Parliament Street before it relocated to Victoria Centre
WWE Superstars Ryback and Layla visited Toys R Us for a meet and greet with fans in 2012
The Top 10 Christmas toys at The Entertainer in 2007
WWE superstars Fandango and Layla at Toys R Us in 2014
Acorn Windows, Smashing Glass and West Bridgford Glass donated toys to the Nottingham Post’s Christmas toy appeal in 2015
Shoppers in Toys R Us
A sales assistant at The Entertainer putting Heelys to the test
The Disney Store in Victoria Centre
Smyths’ opening day at East Point Retail Park, Sneinton, in 2015
Barbara White, founder of children’s charity When You Wish Upon A Star, receiving a donation of toys from the Disney Store
How Toys R Us looked in 2018
Volunteer gift wrapping at Toys R Us in 2015
Disney Store donations to the Nottingham Post’s toy appeal
Inside the Disney Store in Victoria Centre
Scooby Doo and Shaggy at the opening of Smyths in 2015
The day the Mutant Ninja Turtles dropped into Toys R Us in 2005
YouTube star Tiana (right) met young fans at Smyths in 2017
Fans queuing to meet WWE superstars at Toys R Us
The Doctor Who Dalek mask was one of the Top 10 Christmas toys in 2017
Toys R Us Christmas 2015
Skills used to stand in Chapel Bar
The Co-op’s toy department will bring back fond memories
Children with some of the best-selling toys at John Lewis in 2008
