PADDINGTON ARRIVES IN SPINNINGFIELDS

PROUDLY VISITING FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR

This week, we proudly unveiled Manchester’s very own Paddington statue in Spinningfields, marking our place on the exciting new Paddington Visits trail in collaboration with STUDIOCANAL.

We invited five local nursery children to take part in the unveiling, making the moment truly special as they excitedly pulled back the silk sheet to reveal the beautifully hand-painted statue, complete with his iconic blue duffle coat, red hat and a classic marmalade sandwich.

As the only Paddington statue in Manchester, this exciting new tourist attraction is an exciting addition to Spinningfields. The statue is one of 23 located across the UK, providing a fantastic opportunity for fans of all ages to explore the magic of Paddington together and create lasting memories with a true national treasure.

This unveiling also celebrates the upcoming release of Paddington in Peru, which hits cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 8 November. This new chapter sees Paddington returning home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now living at the Home for Retired Bears. Accompanied by the Brown Family and Mrs Bird, Paddington embarks on a thrilling adventure as a mysterious disappearance leads them on an unexpected journey from the Amazon rainforest to the peaks of the Peruvian mountains.

A Brief History of Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear, one of Britain’s most cherished fictional characters, was first introduced in 1958 in A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond. The story begins when Paddington, a polite bear from “Darkest Peru,” arrives in London after being sent by his Aunt Lucy to seek a better life. Discovered alone at Paddington Station by the Brown family, he is named after the station and taken in by the kindly couple, Henry and Mary Brown and their children, Judy and Jonathan.

Wearing his iconic blue duffle coat, red hat and always carrying his battered suitcase, Paddington is known for his love of marmalade sandwiches and his penchant for getting into amusing predicaments. His adventures often stem from his innocent misunderstandings of life in London, but his politeness and good heart always shine through.

Paddington’s story is also tied to modern British culture. His enduring popularity led to his inclusion in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, when he shared a charming televised sketch with Queen Elizabeth II, marking a special moment in British history and highlighting his status as a national treasure.

The bear’s creation was inspired by Michael Bond’s memories of child evacuees during World War II, as well as a solitary teddy bear he spotted in a shop. This backstory, combined with Paddington’s themes of kindness, acceptance and belonging, has made him an enduring figure in children’s literature and British culture.



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