Mystery over Beatties toy shop

Beatties famous toy department is under threat of closure, it was revealed today. Customers are being told the department on the lower ground floor of the store will shut in January.

But owners House of Fraser today denied the rumours, although many of the toys on offer have had their prices slashed.

A source close to the store revealed: "Staff have been told the toy department is due to close after the January sales.

"Customers are very upset. A little boy burst into tears when we told him it would be closing."

Pat Millman, who worked on the toy department for 30 years, said it would be a real shame if the department went.

She said: "The toy department has served the people of Wolverhampton for decades. Children that would get their presents there years ago have grown up and take their children there."

Today a House of Fraser spokeswoman insisted: "There are no immediate plans to close the toy department. It has recently changed and there is now mostly clearance toys in there so there may be some confusion."

The toy department at the House of Fraser store in Birmingham - formerly Rackhams - is now a Hamleys outlet.