Toys R Us has announced it will be returning to the UK high street on a date this month.
It’s official, the iconic toy super store will be making a comeback in a matter of weeks.
The retailer — a total paradise for children — is set to open nine high street stores across the UK in partnership with WHSmith.
Some five years after closing 100 of its UK stores, shoppers will be able to physically see and test out toys in its stores, rather than going off reviews and zooming-in on some pictures online.
From Saturday June 10th, customers will be able to browse aisles and aisles of the most popular brands of toys from Barbie, to Hot Wheels, Star Wars, Lego, Fisher Price and so much more.
You can take your children or even go for a gander for nostalgic reasons — hey, who’s judging?
Parents will be pleading with children to put toys back on shelves as they do their best to get them to leave the store. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!
The shops will be divided into different sections including age, interest, and category, as stores will be decked out with interactive experiences, activities, and demonstration tables.
And of course, Geoffrey the Giraffe will feature as the store mascot, just like old times.
The nine shops will open at the following locations throughout the summer:
Canterbury (St George Street)
Chelmsford (High Street)
Cheltenham (High Street)
Cwmbran (The Mall)
Oxford (Cornmarket Street)
Poole (Towngate Shopping Centre)
Reading (Broad Street)
Solihull (Mell Square)
York (Monks Cross retail park)
Commenting on the exciting return in partnership with WHSmith, Sean Toal, managing director for WHSmith High Street, said: “At WHSmith, we’re always exploring new opportunities to launch exciting new product ranges to our customers on the high street, and our partnership with Toys R Us certainly does this.
“The brand has long been known for its exceptional range of toys and games and complements our existing offer well.
“Across each of the nine locations, we have a great team of colleagues who look forward to welcoming many new and existing customers over the coming weeks and showcasing the new store layout and, not forgetting, Geoffrey the Giraffe.”
The first Toys R Us store in partnership with WHSmith will open on Saturday, June 10th in Monks Cross Retail Park, York, with a special grand opening event.
The remaining eight stores will gradually open their doors throughout the rest of the summer — yes, that soon! While the majority of the stores are down south, hopefully some more Northern sites will eventually open – including here in Manchester.
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour. The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham. “We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”