Toy store chain with 160 branches is closing down popular shop today

Toy chain The Entertainer is permanently shutting one of its stores today - leaving some parents gutted.

The high street retailer, which sells brands such as Lego, Barbie and Squishmallows, is closing its branch at The Moor Shopping Centre in Sheffield.

The Entertainer has been holding a closing down sale with 25% off items to shift the last of its stock. The news was confirmed on The Moor shopping centre Facebook page.

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A post published online reads: “The Entertainer will be closing its doors on The Moor on Saturday 11th October. Get up to 25% off everything in their closing down sale - everything must go.”

Devastated shoppers have been reacting to the news online. One person said: “I will be sad to see this shop go from The Moor, the staff are so friendly and helpful.”

Another commented: “My son loves this shop and is going to be sad when it goes.” A third said: “Oh no, I love that shop.” Savers Health and Beauty Ltd has reportedly put in a planning application for the building.

This isn't the only store The Entertainer has shut in recent months, with its branches in Barrow-in-Furness, Croydon, Luton and Wandsworth also closing this year.

The toy store also recently announced that its Wrexham shop will close in the new year, although no exact date has been confirmed. The Entertainer now has around 160 shops and 1,000 concessions across the UK in retailers like Tesco and Marks & Spencer.

It comes after the owner of The Entertainer recently announced he was handing over control of the business to its 1,900 staff. The new structure means The Entertainer will share profits among workers under the new structure.

Gary Grant opened the first shop in Buckinghamshire with his wife Catherine 44 years ago. Mr Grant said it was a “momentous day” for the family, adding: “Over the last 44 years, we have invested our working lives into this business.

“All our children are shareholders, and our two oldest sons joined to work alongside us, 20 years ago – so it’s truly a family business.

“This is a significant decision for the family, and one we haven’t taken lightly, but it feels like the right time to transfer our entire shareholding into an employee ownership trust.”

In its last set of annual accounts for the year to the end of January 2024, the Entertainer posted pre-tax profits of £6.7m.