Hamleys to open store in Trafford Centre
Hamleys is to expand into the North West with the opening of a new store at the Trafford centre in Manchester.
The toy retailer has taken a five year lease on a 19,000 sq ft store at the Intu owned shopping centre. The first phase of the store, which will open on 28 November, comprises 16,500 sq ft and is the former JJB store on Peel Avenue. The store will then be extended in January to incorporate Ann Summers’ existing store which is relocating to 52 Peel Avenue adjacent to Hollister.
Hamleys chief executive Gudjon Reynisson said: “We have been looking for the next location to complement our UK growth strategy and believe intu Trafford Centre fits perfectly with our unique retail proposition of fun, theatre and entertainment.”
Mark Drummond, head of marketing at Hamleys, added: “Working with our partners at intu Trafford Centre we are looking forward to bringing smiles to the faces of families from all over the North West. We have a full calendar of events planned for the next year including character visits, product launches and fun themes for the school holidays.”
Hamleys currently operates 36 stores across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, nine of which are in the UK.