Melton Toyshop closes its doors for the final time

A Melton toyshop has closed its doors for the last time, it is been announced.

Melton Toys in Nottingham Street is the latest shop to announce its closure after we reported that Halfords is to close in July and Barclays in September.

The store, which started business in King Street stocked lots of different types of childrens toys and popular items.

In a statement on their Facebook page Melton Toys Director James Colclough said: “It’s been a fantastic journey but Melton Toys is now closed.

I want to celebrate our 12 years and pay tribute to our loyal customers and staff, rather than dwell on the current climate we are all living through.

From humble beginnings on King Street in 2009, to the highest highs of winning Toy Retailer of the Year in 2018, Melton Toys has seen it all.”

He added: “I have employed 18 amazing people over the years, all who remain friends. 14 young people can call Melton Toys their first job and I am proud of what they have gone on to achieve. I believe shop work is excellent for building confidence.

The part I will miss the most is seeing young faces at the counter and sharing in their joy when pocket money is exchanged for an exciting new toy. I believe toy shops teach children the value of money.

Melton Toys in Nottingham Street has closed its doors. Photo: Melton Toys/Google

More than one of those young faces ended up working on the other side of the counter all grown up. Sadly we tragically lost one of the toy family in 2017 and Tom will always be in our hearts.

Melton Mowbray is a fantastic town with loyal shoppers, some of mine have come in weekly for the whole 12 years.

Town centre shops are often an undervalued haven for the elderly, vulnerable or lonely among us.

If you have ever shopped at Melton Toys, you did a good thing. Thank you.”

A number of businesses have recently announced they will be closing their outlets including Halfords in Norman Way and Barclays Bank in Wilton Road.

Commenting about the Halfords closure a Melton Borough Council spokesperson said: “Like many of our residents, we are disappointed to see this business leave the area. As the Council is neither the owner or landlord of the building, we have had no involvement and are unable to comment on any specifics in relation to this case.

The Council has a positive relationship with our partners at the DWP and we work together to offer support to those directly affected and who may be at risk of losing their jobs due to any business closure. We will also look to support any business wanting to take up the unit and ensure it brings benefits to the local area.

We want to reassure our community that we are committed to supporting the growth of Melton and to mitigate the economic impacts of any business closures, including those closures as a result of the impacts of COVID, as best we can. We have ambitious plans for our town centre and will continue to work with partners and the community to try and bring these to fruition, with our long term “Town Centre Vision” plan having just been through public consultation.

We are currently developing a levelling up bid with partners which is ambitious, deliverable and will enhance key sites in the town centre to create jobs, business space and attract more footfall into the town.

In addition, we are due to receive £1.19m in UK Shared Prosperity Funding subject to an acceptable investment plan being submitted.  We are currently working with partners to develop a plan which will detail how this will be used over the next three years including on projects that will look to attract more people and businesses to the area, through regenerating the town centre and improving the tourism offer in the borough.”