Hamleys toy shop launches with teddy bear giveaway

The store, which opened in the Outlet on Wednesday, handed a free bear to the first 20 kids who came through the door on Saturday morning, with all 20 having been given away within minutes of opening.

Store manager Sophia Rudkins said: “We opened on Wednesday, in time for Black Friday, but today is our big launch. We decided to give away free bears in celebration of Hamleys opening in Swindon.”

Kids even got the chance to meet Hamley himself, or rather, a member of staff dressed in a huge teddy bear costume.

“All the kids love meeting Hamley,” said Sophia. “We initially limited the bears to 20, but we ended up giving away a few more because we didn’t want to disappoint the kids at Christmas.

In the aftermath of Black Friday, one of the country’s biggest shopping days, Sophia said: “Friday was a very busy day for us and we are expecting much of the same in the run up to Christmas. It has been pretty full on, but the staff have coped really well.”

“We are really looking forward to a busy Christmas – I think it will be pretty crazy. The Outlet doesn’t have many toy stores. We have a couple of competitors, so we think it will be a pretty big Christmas.”

Hamleys is a world-renowned toy store which sells a wide range of goods from soft toys to board games.

Lisa Perry, 39, of North Swindon, was doing her Christmas shopping early in the morning before all the crowds turned up.

“It’s a lovely store,” she said. “They have a lot of fantastic toys. I have a five-year-old and he loves it. I think it’s great that they’ve come to the Outlet Centre.”

Six-year-old Alex Turner, who managed to bag himself a free bear, said: “I’m really happy to get a teddy bear. I don’t know what to call it, maybe Bear.

“I’m excited about Christmas but I don’t know what Father Christmas is going to bring me.”

Maisie Robertson, 7, said: “I feel really good because I got a free teddy bear. I’m going to take him home and put him on the shelf.”