Paddington comes to Southampton as new bench unveiled
It comes ahead of the famous bear's latest film appearance
Last updated 11th Oct 2024
A statue of the nation's favourite bear has been unveiled in Southampton.
Paddington is depicted in his signature red hat, blue duffle coat, sitting on a bench outside Westquay with a marmalade sandwich in paw.
It's one of 23 statues erected across the country ahead of the release of his latest film, Paddington in Peru, which hits cinemas on November 8th.
The bench was unveiled on Thursday (October 10th) by Southampton's Children's Mayor, 10-year-old Freya Orendecki, and Mayor, Councillor Dave Shields.
Stephen Manion, Executive Director of GO! Southampton, said:
"We are delighted that Southampton is one of 23 locations on the Paddington Visits trail to have a special Paddington bench to celebrate the launch of the latest film starring the beloved fictional bear.
"Children and adults alike have so much affection for Paddington, and we’re sure the new bench will be a major attraction for residents and visitors.”
Andy Jackson, destination director at Westquay said:
“This has been a really exciting project to be a part of.
"Paddington is so loved and to have been chosen as one of the twenty three cities, towns and locations to host the marmalade loving bear is a real honour.
"We’d love as many people as possible to come down to Westquay and see Paddington. Available to see at all cinemas in the city, the bench is also just a stone’s throw away from our Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton, so you can snap a selfie with the bear himself, and then head to the cinema and catch Paddington on the big screen.”