Toy story is a family affair

Sisters Laura Clark and Samantha Clark have opened Toys Plus on Topping Street. They are pictured with 10-year-old Chanel Ince and 6-year-old Kai Ince.

The Bispham family have launched Toys Plus in Topping Street to bring a bit of fun back to the high street.

It has been masterminded by sisters Samantha, 24, and Laura, 27, along with dad Peter Clare who works at Northern Door Security and uncle David Clare a plasterer.

And they have enlisted the help of the next generation with Chanel Ince, 10, and Kai Ince, six, who will be launching a YouTube channel exploring they Toys the shop have for sale.

Samantha, who has a psychology degree from Edge Hill University and who worked as a mental health support worker said: “There have never been a huge number of toy shops in Blackpool and so we think there is a gap in the market.

“We have a large family with lots of children and have often found it difficult to find toys for presents locally.

“Our idea is to make it fun and friendly and colourful inside. It is to bring some fun to the high street for children.”

She said they tried to embody that with the official opening, with give away balloons, lollipops and a visit from Ninja Turtle Leonardo.

Samantha said: “I used to be a manager at the Galleon in town but I have never run a retial business, so I am looking forward to that.

“My sister Laura has been a power seller on Ebay for a long while so there is plenty of experience of selling toys

“It used to be the Ambience tattoo parlour and we have spent a long time refurbishing it.

“It is close to the town centre and there are more than 30 schools in the area so there should be a big customer base.

“We sell many of the branded toys such as Nerf, Disney, Star Wars, Paw Patrol, Ninja Turtles, Skylanders, Dora, and children’s clothing as well as out door toys like scooters.”