An international toy store is set to open its doors to customers after the departure of a Curry’s PC World store.

Irish company Smyths Toy Superstore plans to open the new unit at the Ashford Retail Park in Sevington and submitted an application to the council to change the planning conditions at the site.

The 15,000 sq ft store is currently occupied by PC World, but its parent company Dixons Carphone is set close the store and move all the staff to its other store in Norman Road.

The application by Smyths was lodged on Friday, April 1, and will be decided by Ashford Borough Council’s planning officers in June this year.

The company has 22 stores in Ireland, and is currently expanding its operations in the UK with 66 stores in a bid to compete against market leader Toys R Us.

In 2013 the company opened its store at South Aylesford Retail Park near Maidstone with queues of expectant children and parents. It also runs a store at Westwood Cross in Thanet.

According to the company: “There has been significant growth in the market for toys and entertainment products for children in recent years and the growth is predicted to continue.

“Smyths Toys expansion into the UK reflects such growth and provides competition to the existing market leader in the sale of comprehensive ranges of toys, namely Toys R Us.

“The expansion of Smyths Toys in the UK is improving consumer choice, while contributing to competitive pricing among the leading toy retailers in the UK.”

It is part of the latest development of the retail park at Barrey Road in Sevington, where new units were opened including B&M Bargains, Dreams, Costa Coffee, and Tapi Flooring.

Hobbycraft are in talks to open a 7,500 sq ft store at the site, and there are also rumours that Poundland could be opening in the final 10,000 sq ft retail space at the site.