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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
David McLean

Recalling Glasgow's Toys R Us stores as loved toys giant set to make a return

For those who grew up in Glasgow in the 1990s, a trip to Toys R Us was seen as the ultimate weekend treat.

Just like Geoffrey promised in the telly ads, there really were 'millions' all under one roof - or at least that's how it seemed. The legendary US-founded toys giant had stores all over the UK, including two right here in Glasgow, on both sides of the Clyde.

The very first Toys R Us store in the UK opened in 1985, with the chain expanding to more than 100 sites around the country at its peak. To nineties weans, hearing the famous Toys R Us jingle on the telly was as much a part of Christmas as the Coca-Cola truck or John Lewis adverts are today.

READ MORE: Toys 'R' Us is coming back to the UK high street four years after collapse

And it's difficult to explain just how much excitement we all felt as we approached those iconic rainbow-coloured letters at the entrance. You could also shop there all day as the stores were open from 9am till 10 at night.

Those of a certain age will recall fondly racing down the aisles, checking out all the latest action figures, dolls and Lego sets and begging mum and dad to open their wallets.

You could even try out some of the toys in live demonstrations, which is something that today's shops don't seem to do anymore.

Glasgow's first Toys R Us opened at the Forge in Parkhead, with the huge outlet at Helen Street in Govan following in 1997 - just in time for the twin crazes that were Telly Tubbies and Tamagotchis. As no child or parent will ever forget, the Christmas scramble for those two aforementioned toys was as mad as they come.

Part of the magic for younger kids was getting to meet Geoffrey the Giraffe in person, and the chance to bag free gifts, which was always a special moment. They definitely don't make toy stores like they used to.

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Sadly, the toy giant no longer has a presence in Glasgow, or anywhere else for that matter.

In 2017, the Toys R Us' US parent company filed for bankruptcy after debts reached more than £3.5 billion. The UK's 105 stores closed the following year and the firm moved to an online-only operation.

But now, five years on from the collapse of Toys R Us, the firm is all set to make a UK comeback and there is hope that Glaswegian youngsters will once more be able to sample Geoffrey's millions.

As reported in 2021, Toys ‘R’ Us is set to return after they signed a deal to open counters in nine WH Smith stores across the UK. It has not yet been confirmed which stores will be graced by the colourful presence of the toy shops, but it could be happening this year - watch this space!

Just take a look at some of these comments posted below a YouTube clip of the Toys R Us theme song (including lyrics) to see how much the stores meant to people - even if we did all get the words wrong (it's 'millions says Geoffrey', not 'millions of Geoffrey/debris').

Jonathan Spindler said: "I'll be glad to my Christmas shopping at Toys R Us again once the stores reopen."

Happy Masked Guy commented: "My childhood naivety led me to believe that, far into adulthood, 'geoffrey' was some form of slang for merchandise. Turns out that Geoffrey was actually a fictional Giraffe. Clever advertising? You bet."

Star Wars Faneditor wrote: "Loved the lyrics. So it's not 'millions of debris all under one roof', its "millions says Geoffrey"!!!!"

Georgie Hackett added: "I’ve been singing 'there millions of debris all under one roof' since I was a kid! I’ve finally found out the words! Thank you."

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