Pop-up use for former Toys R Us site considered

After the building is knocked down, the council hopes the site can be put to temporary use

Temporary uses for Southampton's former Toys R Us site while development plans move forward are being explored.

Southampton City Council hopes to press ahead with demolishing the building while plans for a new development, including an office building and housing, are worked up.

The council is looking to join a new partnership to speed up redevelopment of the site with "meanwhile use" of the land to be considered once the council-owned plot is cleared.

The Toys R Us building on Harbour Parade has sat derelict since the retailer's collapse in 2018, apart from being used to store donations for Ukraine in March 2022.

Possible options could include a market layout with shipping containers accompanied by large display boards to show what the final development plans for the site would look like.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Gateway scheme for 600 build-to-rent flats approved by the city council in 2022 has stalled.

The council will soon decide whether to join the partnership - Aviva Capital Partners is already part of the plan, and another company is expected to join next month.

It is hoped a new outline planning application for the redevelopment of the site would be submitted within 12 months of the partnership being formed.