Bargain teddy bear offer sparks violent scenes across Britain

[dutchman]

Chaos breaks out after Build-A-Bear Workshop closes doors when supplies run out



A marketing ploy to get more shoppers into a toy store had to be abandoned after it caused huge queues and outbreaks of violence across Britain, with would-be consumers battling to get their hands on a bargain teddy bear.

Build-A-Bear Workshop was offering UK customers the chance to buy any bear, which can cost up to £52, for the price of their child’s age.

However, huge demand caused chaos at shops across the UK, with some forced to close their doors.

Children were left distraught after queuing for hours only to be told the bears had run out, and in other places there were reports of fighting between parents desperate to purchase one of the bears.

At White Rose shopping centre in Leeds, police were called when queues “about a mile long” formed. Stores at Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre, as well as in Telford and Basingstoke, had to shut for the rest of the day.

At 1.30pm, customers in Cardiff were still queuing but the store was no longer allowing anyone in after it ran out of bears. Vouchers of £12 were being offered to those who were not able to get a bear.

A Build-a-Bear spokesman said: “Per local authorities, our Meadowhall, Telford and Basingstoke locations will be closed for the remainder of the day due to extreme crowds and safety concerns.

“Please note: all stores in the UK are reporting similar crowds and lines, and they can no longer accept additional guests for this event.

“The response to our pay your age day event has been overwhelming and unprecedented.”