Date for opening of Smyths Toy Superstore at Ipswich’s Anglia Retail Park revealed as July 29

Smyths Toys Superstore is set to open in Ipswich at the end of July. Picture: CONTRIBUTED Archant

Smyths Toy Superstore is set to open its doors to the public in Ipswich at the end of July.

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The company, which won approval in June last year to open a store at Anglia Retail park, is now advertising for sales assistants to join its team ready for its grand opening on Saturday, July 29.

The retail park has gone through a stark transformation on the lead up to its relaunch this summer.

In February, the owners of the park were granted a relaxation of planning restrictions which had been aimed at ensuring only bulky goods could be sold from an out of town site.

Once agreed, agents for a host of stores applied to set up shop.

On Friday, June 2, shoppers flocked to the grand opening of The Range, with the red ribbon cut by Ipswich mayor Sarah Barber and The Range CEO Nigel Oddy.

Entrepreneur Chris Dawson, the owner and founder of the firm, said at the time that it was a proud moment to open the chain’s 140th UK store.

He said: “Having so many turn up for the celebrations is always nice to see and we hope all our customers managed to find themselves some fantastic bargains.

“We would like to thank the council and the Retail Park for all of their support in welcoming us to Anglia Park.”

The Range’s new home, at the vacant B&Q store, will be shared with a Bounce trampoline centre and Go Outdoors.

In February, a spokesman for Bounce said the company were aiming to open the centre during the summer.

On Saturday, June 10, the new Go Outdoors store will open following a £1million development of the site.

It will offer customers 32,500 sq ft of shopping space and a wide range of outdoor and waterproof clothing, tents and camping equipment.

Store manager, Paul Degville, said: “We are very much looking forward to opening our first Go Outdoors store in Ipswich and encouraging the local community to get outdoors for less.”

B&M, which in November launched a new high street store at the former Poundland shop in Carr Street, is taking over the former Comet store, creating 90 jobs.

Home furnishing retailers Dunelm are also set to move to the park from the Suffolk Retail Park in London Road.