The Entertainer has denied claims that it is eyeing a purchase of Toys R Us UK, which is urgently seeking a buyer.

Speaking to Retail Week, The Entertainer chief executive Gary Grant said: “We aren’t buying Toys R Us, or any parts of it”.

The Entertainer is among a number of parties to have been linked to the ongoing Toys R Us crunch talks, including turnaround investors Alteri and HMV-owner Hilco.

Toys R Us is understood to be scrambling for a rescue deal to prevent it collapsing into administration at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Grant flagged The Entertainer’s continuing positive trading momentum.

The toy chain plans to open another 15 stores this year and refresh its website, which Grant said has traded “extremely well” over the last 12 months.