Derelict Toys R Us site in Southampton could be found a temporary use
It is while major redevelopment plans are drawn up
Last updated 29th Oct 2025
A temporary use will be explored for Southampton’s Toys R Us site while major redevelopment plans are progressed, councillors have been told.
Southampton City Council leader Cllr Alex Winning said some form of meanwhile use for the Harbour Parade land would be on the agenda for a new partnership.
Cllr Winning was speaking ahead of a proposal going before cabinet for the local authority to join the strategic investment partnership which will aim to speed up the transformation of the council-owned plot.
Plans for a new mixed use development scheme would be worked up, including an office building, innovation centre and housing.
Aviva Capital Partners Limited has already agreed to join the partnership, while an unnamed third party is due to follow suit next month.
It is hoped that an outline planning application for the redevelopment of the site would be submitted within 12 months of the partnership being formed.
In the meantime, the former Toys R Us building, which has sat derelict for years, would be demolished as soon as practically possible.
Cllr Winning told members of the council’s overview and scrutiny management committee the site would not sit unused after it has been levelled.
He said finding a positive use for the space, such as a market layout with shipping containers, was important because the redevelopment was not going to happen overnight.
Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, October 23, Cllr Winning said: “You come up with the plans, demolish the building but then the actual development is going to take some time and I think it is that meanwhile use that I am quite excited about as well before we get to the final stage.”
Committee member Cllr Yvonne Frampton said she was worried about the optics around residents perceiving the temporary use as the long-term plan for the site.
Cllr Frampton said: “Are they then going to think well that’s all we are doing with it?
“Will you keep the residents updated with the fact that this isn’t on what is going on that meanwhile space?”
Cllr Winning said: “One thing everyone wants to see is the building just flattened and that’s fine, we can do that.
“The meanwhile use I was talking about is to use that land appropriately and also probably to mitigate against anti-social behaviour and stuff like that if it is used properly.
“It could be a really nice space.
“There are not any formal plans around that.
“I had some vague ideas about using shipping containers in a market layout. I think that would look quite nice.
“That was totally off the top of my head.
“That has not been formally put forward or anything, that is just an idea I had.”
Cllr Winning said any meanwhile use would be accompanied by large display boards to show residents what they can expect from the development plans for the site.
He added: “Once the building is down and the boards are up, nice imagery, I think that will set the tone and it also sends a clear message that this is the direction we are going in but for the time being we have got this as some sort of use because it is a big site to not use.
“I think it would be good to get something going there while we work on those wider plans but they will be communicated, shared and I will be really happy to be shouting about them as well because I think it is a massive step forward.”