Readers slam Beatties bear axe

The traditional bear is close to the hearts of hundreds of readers across the region, and moves to stop producing it and replace it with a House of Fraser teddy, has caused fur to fly.

It is seen as the latest kick in the teeth for the traditional Black Country department store, which is set to lose its name under a £351 million takeover by Icelandic retail giant Bauger.

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Victoria Nash rounds-up your comments.

* Janet Beddow, aged 67, from Albrighton, said: "We have 10 Beattie bears in the family. I bought my two daughters and each of my grandchildren one.

"Also when two of my grandsons were page boys their waistcoats were in the same velvet material and colour as the bows on the bears and they were given Beattie bears as their presents.

"It is a tradition we have kept up throughout the family.

"I used to work at Beatties and I loved it there. It just seems such a shame.

"The store is synonymous with Wolverhampton and the bears are a great feature of the store."

* Former Wolverhampton Mayor George Howells, aged 80, from East Park, said: "I have two Beattie bears. One belonged to my wife Joan, who has passed away. The bear is a treasured item and means a lot to the family.

"I'm sure the situation is the same for a lot of people. These bears mean a lot to them. I love the Beatties name and the bears and I think what is happening is wrong.

* June Smith, from Albrighton, said: "I have had my bear for three years and I think this is a great shame.

"I have no idea why the bear has to be changed. The name just fits so perfectly."

* Karen Guy, aged 48, from Fordhouses, said: "I have had my bear for around 10 years. He is one of my favourites.

"Beatties is an important part of Wolverhampton, and the bears are an important part of the shop. I wouldn't want a Fraser bear, the name just doesn't go at all."

* Dorothy Clarke, aged 72, from Moseley Parklands, said: "My Beattie bear sits on the bed. He is on show.

"I've had him around 10 years. I think it's disgraceful what is happening with Beatties."

* Lucy Steed, aged 12, from Brownhills, said: "My nan bought me a Beattie bear when I was five-years-old as a present when I had my tonsils out. I love him. He sits on show on my bed. He's my favourite bear."

* Trevor Pearce, aged 72, from Tipton, said he and his wife Joyce, aged 71, had three Beattie bears.

"We bought them at Christmas time. The bears were a tradition for lots of families in the West Midlands.

"I think the new bear is terrible."

* Joan Jones, aged 55, from the Russells Hall estate, in Dudley, said: "I have got lots of teddy bears but he is lovely. This is really sad."

* Anne Tighe, from Hurst Hill, said: "I've had my bear five years. This tradition goes back a long time.

"These bears have always been part of Beatties."

* Karen Walker, aged 46, Stow Lawn in Bilston, said: "I picked one of the bears up at a charity shop and my mum was lucky enough to win one at a raffle. You associate the bear with the store. It is very sad to see it go."

* Maureen Oakley, aged 65, from Coven, said: "I won my Beattie bear in a raffle and I really don't think they should go. Beatties is an institution in Wolverhampton and the bears are what remind you of the shop. I don't think they should go."

* Vicky Guy-Williams, aged 63, from Wombourne, said: "I've had my bear for 12 years. He's soft and cuddly, a really lovely bear. I think the whole thing about what is happening to Beatties is a complete fiasco. It is part of Wolverhampton."

* Elsie Cresswell, aged 61, from Wombourne, said: "I had my bear as a Christmas present eight years ago.

"I think it's really very sad that we are losing the name of Beatties and the bears are always what you associate with the store."

* Jane Edwards, aged 43, from North Springfield, in Sedgley, said: "I won my bear in a raffle and he still sits on my bed. I definitely think they should keep the name and the bears.

* Julia Ryan, aged 53, from Warstones, Wolverhampton, said "I have two Millennium editions of the bear. I bought one for my daughter and one for myself.

"They are just really cute bears. I think it's terrible that they have got rid of them.

"The bears are part of the store. We were going to buy my grandson a Beattie bear but we will definitely not be buying a Fraser bear.

For the full list of latest comments, see the Express & Star