A POPULAR toy shop brand is returning to Reading town centre this summer.

Toys R Us is opening in the WHSmith in Broad Street, as one of the nine new branches opening in partnership with the newsagent.

The new retail partnership will see nine shop-in-shops across the country including Oxford.

Customers will be able to buy much-loved toy brands including Lego, Fisher Price, Barbie and Playmobil.

UK Commercial Director at Toys R Us, Simon Cartey, said WHSmith is the "perfect home" for the popular toy brand to return to the UK high street. 

Simon Cartey added: "With this collaboration, we are not only bringing back the beloved Toys"R"Us experience but also providing convenient access to a wide range of toys and games. Together, we hope to create a magical and joyful shopping destination for families across the country."

Customers visiting these stores will be welcomed by a life-size Geoffrey the Giraffe 3D sculpture.

Toys R Us has previously had stores in Broad Street Mall, Forbury retail park and Reading Gateway retail park before closing in 2021. 

Managing director at WHSmith, Sean Toal, commented: "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 partnership store will open at in York on Saturday, June 10, with the other eight stores opening throughout the summer.

An opening date has not yet been announced for the Reading Broad Street branch.