Shrewsbury teddy store in 20th anniversary
The day the store opened staff were shocked when it fell victim to a break-in.
But 20 years later, Pockets in Shrewsbury is celebrating its ongoing success and marking its milestone anniversary with a commemorative bear.
The bears have been created by Ironbridge-based company Merrythought which makes teddies for Harrods, Burberry and Fortnum and Masons.
The shop, off The Square, held a celebration in store with customers. It will be selling the bears.
Owner Paul Platt said: "Twenty years ago we had a break-in on the day we opened. The Shropshire Star ran a big story on us and it really helped us get back on our feet.
"We got a lot of support from people and customers in the town and the feedback was incredible.
"Twenty years later, we have teamed up with Merrythought in Ironbridge and they are creating commemorative teddy bears for us."
Merrythought has been famous since the 1930s for crafting teddy bears in its factory in the centre of Ironbridge.
Mr Platt decided to commission the company to produce a limited edition run of 50 bears to mark Pockets' anniversary.
He said the store has gone from "strength to strength" and now has branches in Shrewsbury, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Nantwich, Hanley and Worcester. During its first few years, Pockets was also voted by FHM magazine as one of the best menswear shops in the UK.
The limited edition Pockets Bear has an embroidery logo on his paw and a blue bow around his neck.
Mr Platt said he hoped it would be a reminder of the success of a local, independent, family-run business.
A limited number of bears will be available for sale on the website and in store.
Merrythought has also recently developed a new limited edition bear to raise money for an historic hall that the community is fighting to bring back into use.
The Anstice Bear to raise money for the Anstice Memorial Hall in Madeley.
The hall shut in February 2015 year amid financial troubles, much to the dismay of locals.
The hall is now owned by Madeley Town Council, who with the help of the newly-launched Anstice Community Trust, is raising money to bring the building back to life.
