Popular toy retailer Toys R Us is making its return to a high street in Essex five years after closing all its stores.

Toys R Us is set to open a branch in WH Smith in Chelmsford alongside 8 other stores within WH Smith branches across the UK. 

The new stores will begin opening as early as next week, with the first one opening in Monks Cross in York from June 10. 

Toys 'R' Us has not been seen on the British high street since 2018. The toy retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and in March 2018 announced it would be closing all its UK stores.

READ MORE: Memories of Basildon's much-loved Toys R Us as store returns to high streets

A total of 100 stores closed that year and the business has been operating online ever since.

The new shop inside the WH Smith in 73 to 75 High Street in Chelmsford will stock toys from Barbie, Bluey, Hot Wheels, Lego, Paw Patrol and Star Wars.The shop will feature a life-sized Geoffrey the Giraffe sculpture.

It will reportedly be open to customers this summer.

WHSmith High Street Managing Director, Sean Toal, said: "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!"