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Posts: 65I just read in the paper on Friday that Merrythought have ceased trading.
Apparently, they can't compete with the junk being made in sweat shops, abroad, as they'd tried to keep their local workers, and continued making bears the old fashioned way.
Just thought I'd post this in case any Merrythought fans abroad haven't heard the news, yet... They'll be selling like hotcakes, now, the last ones, I bet.:(
Posts: 3,540
I still think this is so incredibly sad. Not only the loss of the artwork, but the fact those poor people are let go just before Christmas...
I live ten minutes away from the Merrythought Bear factory.
Ive just read about the closure in my local paper. Its such very sad news as it was such a big tourist attraction in Ironbridge. I Just loved visiting the shop.
The latest news is the lady mentioned below is appealing for help to save Merrythought, you can read he full story follow this link here below.
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/12 … iled-firm/
Jeanette Barnes, of Weston-Super-Mare, loves the Ironbridge firm’s bears and says they must be saved at all costs. The 40-year-old, whose collection of about 1,000 bears includes many from Merrythought, is pleading for someone to save the firm and intends to start a petition.
Anyone interested in Mrs Barnes’s campaign can e-mail her on david barnes555@btinternet.com
Read the sad closure news story link by link below...
http://www.merrythought.co.uk/
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/11 … rm-closes/
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/11 … and-words/
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/11 … sss-anger/
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/12 … r-workers/
http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/12 … iled-firm/
Posts: 2,203I just won my first Merrythought bear on Ebay. I am sad though to see a company go under that has history. I wil email Jeanette.
K P BearI have emailed Jeanette and will sign the petition. Such a shame.
but the fact those poor people are let go just before Christmas...
Soo sad.
Lena 
The workforce must be gutted.
The factory was like a large family. 
Such an amazing atmosphere to tour around. :dance:
Its hard to understand how Merrythought bears, could go bankrupt.
They were such a famous British treasure. What a world....
They are placed in such a wonderful English heritage town, full of museums and absolutely steeped in history.
I really hope someone steps up to save them. :pray:
Posts: 3,540I'm rather surprised the Queen didn't step in with some form of assistance. Wasn't she the one who named "Cheeky"?
There's so many knock down affects to this...the original factory, the workers, but also all the tourist industry for the town built round the factory. Its such a waste to lose so many livelihoods in the name of overseas trading.
Sophie Z'OursI heard it too about Merrythought.
I am a big collector of Merrythought cheeky bears (I have over 30 of them and only began collecting them in november 2003).
I will write to Jeanette too.
Fingers crossed we can save Merrythought.
Ian Pout, the owner of Teddy Bears of Witney, my fav retailer of Cheeky bears, e-mailed me about my last order of Cheeky bears and said me that Merrythought might re-emerge next year but would made a much smaller range of bears. So that gives me a light of hope.
Beary hugs,
Sophie.
Posts: 65Worser Half just got me two small Merrythought limited edition bears today for xmas - a little Cheeky (my first) and a little white bear with a ruff. When my brother was born in the 1950s, he was bought a white Merrythought teddy and I was bought a London Gold one when I was born in the early 60s. (I still have my bro's and my own bears).
We bought the Cheeky in the teddy shop in Stonegate, York and there were only 4 left. The lady said they've been flying off the shelves this week as the news got round. I got the second in Christmas Angels on Petergate, and they only had half a dozen Merrythoughts there (Their's looked more like artist bears - beautifully made). I reckon there won't be any left on the shelves in a month or two. 
