THE former Toys R Us store in Oldbury is set to be brought back into use.

The store has been bought by Birmingham-based firm Hortons Estates, which is currently stripping out the site on Wolverhampton Road and seeking a new occupier to lease it.

Richard Norgrove, of Hortons, said the firm is talking to a number of retail and leisure companies, but no agreement has been reached.

Rumours have been circulating on Facebook that B&M Bargains was due to open at the site, off Birchley Island, which is next to Macdonald's.

It is hoped any new occupier will be in the unit by the summer.

Richard said: "There are a few options at the moment.

"We are going to redevelop the building, most likely for retail use.

"We are keeping the existing building - nothing is being demolished, we are refurbishing it.

"We are currently stripping it out ready for reoccupying.

"It will probably be for retail or leisure use, we are in discussions with a host of retailers and nothing has been signed.

"It's a prime location.

"Sandwell Council have been supportive because they see it as a prominent site and would like to see it brought back into use."

A planning application will have to go to Sandwell Council for a new shop front - this is expected to be submitted in the next few months.

A spokesman for B&M said they were not aware of any plans to take over the site and Sandwell Council said it had not had any approved plans for the site.

The Toys R us store closed in 2018 - it had been open since the 1990s.

Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority were approached by a developer shortly after its closure who wanted to bulldoze the store and create a new retail development - but plans came to nothing.