PLANS are in the pipeline to find a new use for the Toys R Us store in Basildon which has sat empty for nearly four years.

The shop, in Southernhay, has been out of use since the famous toy firm went out of business in 2018.

But Away Cheltenham has is now planning to use the shop as an ‘urban’ storage facility, called Storeaway.

A change of use planning application has been submitted to Basildon Council outlining the proposals.

Planning documents state the new facility will serve residents and business in the area. 

It can be used for storing household items, archiving, additional stock room space, furniture and IT storage.

The main entrance to the site would come via the rear service yard rather than the front entrance as this would be more convenient for customers moving items to and from the facility.

Away Cheltenham says the majority of changes that would need to be made to the building will be internal.

A new mezzanine is proposed inside to create an additional level for storage, while a ramp would be created outside to provide disabled access.

Echo:

Toys R Us had occupied the shop since 1985 before leaving four years ago.

The applicant says the change of use would help ensure the building no longer remains empty.

It added in its plans: “There has been no other commercial interest in the property since the unit closed.

“The building has been marketed continually since closure in 2018 for retail use and there has been no interest and therefore the building has become redundant and is at risk of further deterioration and obsolescence.”

New signs for the storage facility would be added to the outside of the building, however permission would need to come via a separate planning application.

No objections have yet been submitted against the plans.

The old Toys R Us shop sits within a larger building that also contains Sports Direct and is connected to a multi-storey car park.

Both would be unaffected by the proposals.