Oudoor retailer reveals plan for former Toys R Us site
NEW plans have been revealed for the former and empty Toys R Us building at Wyvern Retail Park.
A planning application has been submitted to Derby City Council calling for a change to a planning condition which will allow leisure store Go Outdoors to occupy the building, which has stood empty for several years.
Go Outdoors is a camping, tents and outdoor activity equipment retailer.
According to a planning statement submitted as part of the planning application, Go Outdoors already operates a store in Derby from a unit at Ascot Drive.
However, Go Outdoors is required to vacate its existing store as “new terms were unable to be agreed with the landlord of the premises”.
The Toys R Us Building at Wyvern
Retail Park has been vacant since April 2018 when the famous toy store closed. The building itself was built in the late 1980s/early 1990s and offers large space inside.
News of the planning application is likely to be welcomed by Derby people who have been longing to see the building back in use in some way or form.
As the building was previously used for retail purposes, planning permission is sought to vary the range of goods that can be sold from the former Toys ‘R’ Us unit which would allow a Go Outdoors store to occupy the building.
The applicants for the proposal are CBRE Ltd and JD Sports Fashion Plc.
The planning statement submitted also suggests there are plans for a café to be installed which will be run by Go Outdoors.
It says: “The variation seeks permission for a wider range of goods to be sold from the former Toys ‘R’ Us
Unit at Wyvern Retail Park to enable the unit to be occupied by Go Outdoors. The former Toys R Us unit at Wyvern Retail Park has been identified as meeting the operational requirements of Go Outdoors, which requires a large scale retail unit in an established retail location with access to adjacent surface level parking.
“Go Outdoors further requires the accommodation of an ancillary café within its proposed store at Wyvern Retail Park.
However, LSH considers that an ancillary café use within the former Toys ‘R’ Us unit does not require planning permission, and so this requirement does not form part of this planning application.”
In 2018 there were plans announced for two retailers to move into the 50,000sq ft unit but the idea did not materialise. In recent years there have been issues with traveller groups staying at the car park, requiring action from authorities.