A MAJOR toy superstore is shaping up ahead of its opening.

Work is taking place on the forthcoming Smyths Toys Superstore due to open in Barrow's Hollywood Retail Park.

It will replace the former Apollo Bingo, which closed in March.

Planning permission for the conversion was approved earlier this year with councillors hearing the superstore would be ready to open in time for Christmas.

Work is now underway.

Pictures show how previous signage has been removed, while the entrance has been repainted blue in Smyths' colours from the previous purple.

The area around the store has been blocked off while the work takes place.

Plans said the development would include alterations to the shopfront, rear door, a three-metre fenced compound and the construction of an internal mezzanine for storage, offices and staff facilities.

No changes were proposed in the plans to the layout, height, width, length or massing of the unit or the existing parking arrangements.

The new store will also mean the creation of 30 new jobs in the borough, ranging from retail assistants to management positions, with a further 15 temporary positions in the run-up to Christmas.

The opening hours will be from 9am until 8pm between Monday and Saturday, staying open until 11pm between October and December each year to accommodate the Christmas demand.

Smyths Toys is Europe’s largest toy retailer, with more than 110 stories throughout the UK and Ireland, selling a range of products in the toys, baby, sports, outdoor and gaming categories.

Concerns have been raised over the new store taking trade away from the town centre.

But at the planning meeting earlier the development was described as a 'retail destination that attracts visitors from a wide catchment, with links to trade benefits for the town centre'.

Planning consultant Christie Fraser said: "Rather than competing with the town centre, Smyths has the potential to bring new businesses and spending into Barrow.

"The store will have a wide catchment and a significant proportion of its turnover is expected to come from beyond Barrow from towns like Dalton, Ulverston and further afield."