Emma Moule, owner of Auntie Em’s Tea Room in Worcester City Arcade, has opened a toy shop above her café. 

Games and puzzles from Orchard Toys are one of the product lines recommended to Emma by Heather and Mark Stewart.

A new independent toy store has opened in Worcester above the popular Auntie Em's Tea Room, after the owner, Emma Moule, decided to expand into the sector and increase the destination's family-friendly appeal following the coronavirus lockdown.

Now called Auntie Em’s Tea & Toy Emporium, the shop has been given a helping hand by Heather and Mark Stewart of Wise Owl Toys, who closed their successful independent store in April after more than two decades in the toy business. Emma says the couple generously shared 'vital words of wisdom', as well as their knowledge of suppliers and other useful contacts.

Speaking to Worcester News, Emma said: "We are a family friendly tea room which accommodates pushchairs and high chairs. Families can relax while their children can play, so the adults can enjoy a hot drink and food knowing they can see their children playing. We always talked about selling toys because of how family friendly we are, but when we saw the news that Wise Owl Toys was closing its doors after 20 years it inspired us to go ahead.”

The store currently offers products from Orchard Toys, Playmobil and Usborne, all of which were best-sellers at Wise Owl. Sustainable wooden toys from Legler Small Foot World are also available, alongside pick 'n' mix and popcorn. The opening of the toy store has also created seven new jobs.

Readers can find out more on Auntie Em's Tea & Toy Emporium Facebook page, or email auntieemstearoom@gmail.com.