Town centre's double blow

The Toys ‘R’ Us pop-up store in The Galleries Shopping Centre has shut, quashing hopes it would become a permanent part of the town’s retail scene.

The news comes hard on the heels of the closure of the Swarovski jewellery store in Makinson Arcade.

The children’s toy giant opened its outlet in Leigh Arcade in the former New Look store last autumn, just in time for the run-up to the busy Christmas season.

The store was then given an extension in January but has now shut. Toys ‘R’ Us would not say why the deal with The Galleries is not going further but did confirm it is always looking at new sites for potential stores.

The Galleries is supposed to be due for a £60m revamp but this has now been put on hold due to the complex being bought out by US-based firm Colony Capital, who are considering revising the plans to transform it.