Tears as Britain's oldest toy factory closes

The boss of Britain's oldest surviving toymaker wept yesterday as he told his workers the world-renowned teddy bear factory was closing with the loss of 48 jobs.



Oliver Holmes, managing director of Merrythought Toys in Ironbridge, Shropshire, blamed government red-tape and cheap Chinese imports for the death of Britain's last toy manufacturer.

The company's Latin motto is Parate Compleri. Mr Holmes said: "It means 'Get Stuffed' – which is exactly what has happened to us."

Merrythought, a third-generation family business, was set up in 1930 and was revered for its handmade, fully jointed mohair bears, classic rocking horses, wheeled toys and traditional gollies. Top stores such as Harrods were among its customers and it produced a limited edition regal Cheeky teddy, with a headscarf and three corgis, to mark the Queen's 80th birthday.