All these toys? Now that’s entertainment!
New city centre store predicted to be a huge success
DOZENS of shoppers queued outside a new city centre toy shop ahead of its highly-anticipated official launch.
The Entertainer – said to be the fastest-growing family-owned high street toy retailer in the UK – opened its latest store in Hanley’s intu Potteries shopping centre on Saturday.
The store – which has created 16 jobs – is packed full of toys from the latest crazes to well-known classics.
Scores of customers queued from 8am to be among the first to snap up a bargain – with families quick to give the new shop the thumbs up.
Manager Paul Wright, aged 34, said: “It is going to be an astronomical success. We have a wide range of stock. We are a traditional toy shop and have something for everybody.
“We sell games, puzzles, toys, LOL dolls, arts and crafts, and much more. We have steps at the till so the children can shop with us. There are goods for pre-school children and babies right up to teens.
“Normally we have toy demonstrations where the children get involved. But on Saturday mornings we have an autism hour from 9am where there are no loud noises so children with autism are not alienated.”
Assistant manager Dez Dudley, aged 33, who has worked for the company for three years, said: “It is what Hanley needed. It has been in high demand. It will be a success. We have exclusive ranges just for us.”
Sales assistant Phoebe Morgan, aged 23, of Northwood, added: “I am expecting it to be busy. We have something for everyone.”
The store has taken up the unit left behind by Currys which closed a number of years ago.
Shopper Ryan Chawner was first in the queue on Saturday. The 37-yearold, of Tunstall, said: “We got here at 8am and there were about 80 people in the queue when the shop opened.
“We have had some good stuff for the little one. It’s about time there was something like this in the shopping centre to draw in customers. The staff are really friendly. It is great.”
Fellow shopper Demi Hughes, aged 26, of Newstead, said: “The prices are good. It is great to have something like this in Hanley.” Ann-marie Beardmore, aged 42, of Hanley, said: “We have been to the one in Devon so we knew what to expect. It is reasonably priced and you can get a lot of things you can’t get anywhere else. I will be doing some of my Christmas shopping here.
“It will be a success, especially now Toys R Us is closed.”
Steve Barrow, aged 54, of Newcastle, said: “It is better than travelling to Cheshire Oaks. It is about time Hanley had The Entertainer.”