Greenbridge Retail Park is to get a much-needed boost following the confirmation that Smyths Toys will open at the site.

And Cancer Research UK superstore will open at the park along with the already-trading Lidl, marking a turnaround in fortunes.

Concerns were growing about Greenbridge becoming a ghost town after Argos announced it would be moving to the Sainsbury’s supermarket on Oxford Road.

It follows the loss of Mothercare, Carpet Right, Laura Ashley, Homebase and PC World, which all left empty units behind at the park.

A spokesman for M&G Real Estate, which manages Greenbridge, told the Adver: “Following the recent arrival of Lidl, a new retailer Smyths Toys is in the process of moving into the former Mothercare unit, while advanced conversations are ongoing with a potential new occupier to take the space previously occupied by Argos.

"We look forward to providing further updates in due course.”

Planning documents with Swindon Borough Council had previously suggested that Smyths was looking to open a store in Greenbridge, but this is the first official confirmation.

Symths Toys has stores in Cheltenham, Bristol, Gloucester and Reading, but opening in Swindon will be a welcome as the town has not had a dedicated toy superstore since Toys R Us closed several years ago.

No date was given by M&G Real Estate as to when the store would be opening, but work has already started at the former Mothercare unit as construction panels have gone up outside.

But the management company did confirm a second store would be opening later this year

“We can confirm that there are plans for a Cancer Research UK superstore to open up at the park,” the spokesman said.

A spokesperson from Cancer Research UK confirmed that it was looking to bring its third superstore built within a year to Greenbridge.

“Cancer Research UK is looking to open a new charity superstore at Greenbridge Retail Park in Swindon,” they said.

“A date hasn’t yet been confirmed for opening. The charity has opened two superstores so far in the last 12 months in the south west, with both Bristol and Bridgwater operating on popular retail parks.

“Ours shops across the UK typically contribute more than £25m annually to our lifesaving work to beat cancer.”

Ward councillor Russell Holland was enthusiastic about what this meant both for Greenbridge and Swindon as a whole.

“This is great news for local residents. Not only does it increase the retail offering at Greenbridge for the people of Swindon, but it’s another sign of economic confidence in the town to go alongside the new development at the former Honda site.”

Smyths Toys was approached for comment, but they had not responded by the time of the Adver going to print.