Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy shop, launches a pop-up at centre:mk this Christmas 

Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy shop, launches a pop-up at centre:mk this Christmas

•  World-renowned Hamleys has opened its first ever bricks and mortar pop-up outlet at centre:mk on Wednesday 2 December 
•  The British toy emporium stocks a range of renowned brands as well as creating an immersive experience for shoppers with expert toy demonstrations 

This Christmas, centre:mk, one of the UK’s top 10 shopping centres, promises fun for the entire family with the launch of an exclusive Hamleys pop-up shop, which opened on Wednesday 2 December now lockdown restrictions have eased. 

The renowned British toy emporium offers shoppers an immersive toy wonderland, brimming with games, puzzles, and arts and crafts from well-known brands such as LEGO, Barbie and Playmobil, as well as stocking Hamleys’ own exclusive toy collections. Open in centre:mk’s Midsummer Arcade, the pop-up features expert toy demonstrations and exciting in-store appearances from much-loved characters, creating an immersive experience for all ages over the Christmas period. 

The opening of Hamleys coincides with centre:mk’s new Christmas grotto experience, offering visitors the ultimate festive day out. Also launched on Wednesday 2 December, a stone’s throw from Hamleys in Middleton Hall, the Peter Rabbit™ grotto, one of the UK’s largest Christmas grottos this year, offers an immersive theatrical experience brought to life by actors playing the part of Peter Rabbit™ and his friends. Visitors can meet all of their favourite Beatrix Potter characters, including Squirrel Nutkin, Mr. Tod and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, before meeting Santa. Each family has the opportunity to spend 25 to 30 minutes enjoying the show within a safe, socially distanced environment. 

Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at centre:mk, explained: “We are thrilled to welcome Hamleys to centre:mk for its first ever opening in the area. The toy emporium is a British staple and will no doubt enhance the Christmas offering at centre:mk. Paired with the new, Peter Rabbit™ themed grotto, we look forward to welcoming visitors back to the shopping centre as soon as lockdown restrictions have eased to enjoy the ultimate Christmas day out at centre:mk.” 

Mr. Sumeet Yadav, Chief Executive Officer of Hamleys, added: “As a brand, we have recently begun to branch out in to the world of pop-up retailing and we are thrilled to be joining centre:mk with our latest pop-up store. Like Hamleys, centre:mk has been an icon for years and we are sure the children of the region will enjoy exploring our latest store.” 

centre:mk has been working closely with the 190 retailers in the centre to put increased health and wellbeing protocol in place, which reminds shoppers to ‘play your part’. This includes enabling easy social distancing at all times with a one-way traffic systems clearly marked out around the centre and within stores. Visibly marked out on signage throughout the centre, including all 18 entrances, shoppers can familiarise themselves with the current changes to ensure everyone can get the most out of their visit. 

www.centremk.com