UK’s Biggest Toy Chain The Entertainer Now Owned by Its 1,900 Employees
Hey, have you heard about the incredible move happening with The Entertainer, the UK’s biggest independent toy shop chain? It’s actually being handed over to its employees! Yeah, you heard that right. Gary Grant, who founded The Entertainer back in 1981 with his wife Catherine, has decided to transfer 100% ownership of the company to an employee ownership trust. That means nearly 2,000 workers across 160 stores in the UK will now own the business and share in its profits.
Gary started the first shop when he was just 23, and now, at 66, he’s stepping back after building the company into a multi-million-pound empire. Instead of selling the business to an outside buyer—which could have meant losing the family values that have been at its core—he chose this employee trust route so the staff can have a real stake and say in how things are run going forward.
What’s cool about this setup is that staff members will get a share of the profits, and their voices will officially count in shaping the future of the business. Some of them have already been with The Entertainer for over a decade, with around 50 employees clocking up more than 20 years of service. So, it’s not just a company—it’s a community. The Entertainer is also known for sticking to strong principles like not opening on Sundays and donating 10% of profits to charity, reflecting the Grant family’s Christian values.
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Financially, the company has held up well despite challenges like the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and the decline of the High Street in general. It even expanded partnerships with big retailers like Tesco and Matalan recently. The company made £6.7 million in pre-tax profits in 2024, and while it’s too soon to say when employees will see their first bonuses from the profit-sharing, it’s expected that more meaningful rewards will start appearing around early 2027.
Gary and his family will still be financially rewarded for transferring ownership, with payouts coming out of future profits. The new leadership team, including an external CEO brought in from John Lewis—a well-known employee-owned business—will have independent control once the transfer completes next month.
This move is seen as part of a growing trend toward employee ownership, especially in retail, which some experts say could be the future of the High Street. It’s a fresh take on business where success is shared and long-term sustainability and values come first, not just profit.
For Gary, stepping away will be a big change—he even joked about how the business has been like a fifth child for the family. But now, with the business in the hands of those who’ve helped build it day by day, he’s confident it will continue to thrive while keeping its family feel alive.
So, this story isn’t just about toys. It’s about a different way of doing business—one where employees truly own their work and share in the success. Pretty inspiring, right?
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