'Shared stewardship' | The Entertainer toy shop to become an Employee Owned Trust

One of the UK’s most renowned toy shops has announced that it will become an employee-owned business within a matter of weeks.

TEAL Group Holdings, owner of The Entertainer, Early Learning Centre and Addo Play Ltd, says that the Grant family are transferring their 100% ownership to an Employee Ownership Trust (“EOT”), a transition due to be completed in September 2025.

The business said the decision is “the culmination of a long-term succession plan and will ensure the Group remains independent with its employees as beneficiaries, while preserving both the family’s legacy and the family feel of the business.”

Founded in 1981 by Gary and Catherine Grant, The Entertainer has grown from just one shop with a vision of “one child, one community at a time” to a multichannel international toy business. As a high-street favourite, the key to its success lies in the commitment, driving force and hard work of its employees who create affordable joy and unforgettable moments for customers, which is why the family have chosen an EOT structure.