A MAGICAL place has opened its doors in Poole after a five-year disappearance.  

Toys R Us has returned to Dorset with the opening of a new shop in WHSmith in Falkland Square after the classic company went into bankruptcy in 2018. 

Marked with a ribbon cutting at 9am and a guest appearance from Geoffrey the Giraffe, more than 100 people queued outside in anticipation. 

Tommy and Jack were first in line, having been waiting outside since 7am, and their patience was awarded with the honour of cutting the ribbon.

Bournemouth Echo:

Located at the back of WHSmith, the new shop sells a range of toys from Lego, dolls, jigsaws and more. 

Steven Byfield, store leader, said: “We had a soft launch on Thursday to get a feel and today is one of the biggest launches in the company.  

“It is one of the biggest stores in the south of England, one of nine in the whole country. 

“The first 40 kids will get a goodie bag with toys inside, there’s colouring, Geoffrey hats, you can play demos. 

“This is basically to bring people back to the high street.

Bournemouth Echo:

“This is more like a concession stand-type thing, we have a thousand products in store and hopefully some more over the course of a year or so.”  

Simon Cartey, commercial director for Toys R Us, said it was “fantastic” to be back in Poole and that it has been the “perfect partnership” with WHSmith.