Toy shop chain Toyland secures £400,000 NPIF loan to boost stock levels
The funding from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, will enhance Toyland’s purchasing power and enable it to expand stock levels after the company took a lease on a new warehouse in Bradford. Based in Otley, Toyland was established in 2014 by the husband and wife team of Gordon and Amanda Walker.
The couple now have 10 stores across the North including Blackpool, Darlington, Doncaster, Halifax, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Kendal, Scarborough and Skipton. They currently employ 59 staff and expect to create more jobs once the new warehouse is fully operational.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Walker, who is managing director, has almost 30 years’ experience in the industry, having started his career as an apprentice in his father’s toy business, Conways, in Keighley. He said: “Despite the growth of online retailing, nothing can beat the magic of a real toy shop. Children and parents alike still enjoy the excitement of visiting a store, where they can see and touch and the products at first hand.”
Taryn Preen and Andy Redman at brokers ABL Business provided fundraising advice to the company. Gary Whitaker of Mercia added: “Gordon has a strong reputation in the industry that allows him access to all the major brands.”