A brand new Smyths Toys Superstore that is set to open in Barrow at the end of the month is celebrating its opening with a big bash.

Located at Unit A on Hollywood Retail Park, the four-day long event will take place from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 1 from 9am to 4pm each day. 

There will be a live DJ, face painters and candy floss, and a chance for families to meet and get their picture taken with special guests characters Oscar, Gabby, Chase, JJ and Cody. 

Customers will get £6 off when they spend £15 or more in store. 

Smyths Toys is Europe’s largest toy retailer with more than 110 stories throughout the UK and Ireland, selling a range of products in the toys, baby, sports, outdoor and gaming categories.

The new store will mean the creation of 30 new jobs in the borough, ranging from retail assistants to management positions, with a further 15 temporary positions in the run-up to Christmas.

Concerns had been raised over the new store taking trade away from the town centre upon Smyths seeking planning permission for the development. The retailer has taken over a former Apollo Bingo.

Some people still have these concerns such as local resident Kim Sargant.

She said: "It’s not helping the town centre. Heaths Toymaster have been here years and The Entertainer not as long as Heaths by far, but to close a bingo hall for a lot of elderly people and to loose their outside communication with the community is bad.

"I know we have another bingo hall but it's small compared to Apollo. People lost jobs and to be honest people get used to places they go. I don’t think the Entertainer or Heaths will be able to stay open which is terrible."

The new store will also mean the creation of 30 new jobs in the borough, ranging from retail assistants to management positions, with a further 15 temporary positions in the run-up to Christmas.

The opening hours will be from 9am until 8pm between Monday and Saturday, staying open until 11pm between October and December each year to accommodate the Christmas demand.

To find out more about the opening party, please visit the Smyths Toys Superstore website.