Britain's largest toy retailer, The Entertainer, has confirmed it will permanently shut the doors of its Poole branch in a significant setback for the Dorset high street.
The store, located on Poole High Street, is scheduled to cease trading in January 2026, following the company's decision not to renew its lease.
End of an Era for Poole Toy Shop
A spokesperson for the popular toy chain expressed deep regret over the closure, confirming the move was necessary as the Poole outlet was no longer considered commercially viable.
They emphasised the company's sadness at the impact on the store's dedicated colleagues, who had run the operation brilliantly. The spokesperson highlighted the harsh realities of modern retail, where shifting shopping habits and rising costs that outpace sales growth sometimes force difficult decisions.
A Wider Trend of Closures
The Poole location is not an isolated case for The Entertainer. This closure follows the recent shuttering of its Wrexham shop last month.
Furthermore, four other branches have met a similar fate this year, with stores in Barrow-in-Furness, Croydon, Luton, and Wandsworth all closing down.
Despite these setbacks, the retailer has confirmed its continued commitment to serving Poole residents through its online toy shop and its successful concessions located within several local Tesco stores, including Poole Fleets Corner Extra, Poole Extra, and Poole 4 Branksome. Shoppers can also find The Entertainer's products in Matalan.
Contrasting Moves: Sunday Openings and Job Creation
In a contrasting development earlier this year, The Entertainer announced a major operational shift. Breaking with a long-standing tradition upheld by its founder, the chain began a trial of Sunday opening hours.
This trial, forecast to run until Easter 2026, is reported to have created an additional 200 jobs across the UK high street, offering more flexibility for children and parents to shop.
Despite the closure of several stores, The Entertainer maintains its position as the largest toy chain in Britain.
