The Entertainer unveils plans to expand store estate
The Entertainer has unveiled the first half of its expansion plans for the year ahead, as the toy retailer looks to grow its store estate.
The retailer’s plans include summer openings for a new, relocated, and 25% larger store at St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff, as well as a new store in Castleford’s Junction 32 outlet development in West Yorkshire.
Following the opening of its first outlet store at Dalton Park in County Durham last year, the retailer will also open its first large-scale outlet shop, taking more than 8,000 sq ft of space at the Galleria Outlet in Hatfield from May.
The new stores follow a busy year for The Entertainer in 2025, which saw a series of openings, relocations and refurbishments, including the extension of its Churchill Square store in Brighton, the relocation of its Cambridge and Bluewater stores, and new openings in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays, Aberdeen’s Union Square, Rushden Lakes near Northampton, The Gyle in Edinburgh, and The O2 London.
Andrew Murphy, CEO of The Entertainer owner TEAL Group, said: “As Britain’s Toy Shop, we’re constantly identifying opportunities to expand our UK business and improve the quality of our existing physical estate. I’m delighted with how our plans for 2026 are shaping up in that regard, with a fabulous upgrade in location, size and environment imminent for our very successful Cardiff St David’s store, a huge vote of confidence in our brand from the owners of J32 in Castleford and – first off the blocks – our biggest new store for well over a decade opening during May at The Galleria in Hatfield.”
“Before the start of the school summer holidays we expect to have more exciting store opening announcements to share, with great news incoming for toy enthusiasts in Manchester, Bedford and the Channel Islands, and are also making good progress with targets for 2027 in the midlands, the north-east and Scotland.”