Derelict Toys R Us to become 'new neighbourhood'

The owners of a former Toys R Us site say they plan to transform it into a new neighbourhood.

Southampton City Council and the University of Southampton have joined with investors at Aviva Capital Partners to acquire the area close to Southampton Central railway station.

The 4.6-acre site on Harbour Parade has been derelict since Toys R Us collapsed in 2018, apart from being used to store donations for Ukraine in 2022.

The team, known collectively as WBS Growth Partnership LLP, said they wanted it to become a new mixed-use neighbourhood focused on innovation, enterprise and education, as well as offices and residential spaces.

They added that they would start by pushing for temporary uses for the site, while considering demolition this year as the plans develop.

Southampton City Council leader Alex Winning said: "For far too long, the former Toys R Us site has stood vacant at one of the key gateways to our city.

"We are determined to transform this prominent location into a place that delivers real benefits for our residents - creating new jobs, new homes and new opportunities for the people of Southampton.

"This new partnership marks an exciting first step in unlocking that potential and bringing this site back to life."

The site is part of the council's wider plans to regenerate Southampton city centre.

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