About Us at The Bear Shop

The Bear Facts

The Bear Shop is in fact two shops
~ the first Bear Shop was started in 1989 in Colchester. We opened our Norwich shop a year later and our bears have been available on the Internet since 1998

Our shop staff
~ provide a personal service to bear lovers who are warmly welcomed to our shops. We encourage folks to lift the bears from the shelves, to cuddle them and to see if the bears would be happy to go home with them. Most of us at the shops have been here from the start and are bear collectors ourselves, so we are only too happy to help our fellow addicts

Our photographer
~ can take photographs of any of the bears for you to look at on your computer. And bears going abroad can have their very own passport

Our repairer
~ will fix any mishaps with your bear, from sewing back an ear to a complete makeover

Buying Online
~ is simplicity itself. Just pad on over to our Contact Us page. Here you will find our contact details and a form you can use to order your bear. Your online purchase is handled by the same dedicated staff who serve in our shops. You can pay for your bear using our Secure Online service and your new bear can be on its way to you the same day

Delivery / Shipping Costs
~ are Free in the UK on orders over 50 pounds. Outside the UK, shipping costs depend on the weight and size of the package. We will tell you the cost when you place your order but before we take payment. All bears are insured and sent by Royal Mail or by Courier. All our bears are carefully wrapped and boxed to ensure a safe transit to their new homes

Layaway
~ is available for all bear purchases. You can pay for your bear over 3 months. More details are available by clicking Here

The Exclusive Bear Brochure
~ is produced every year and sent to all our regular customers. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be included please go to our Request Form

Clothing for your Bear
~can be supplied made to measure. The clothing is made by our very own staff. We can supply anything from a single hand-knitted sweater to a full outfit. From every-day wear to special holiday clothes

Bears as gifts
~can be gift-wrapped at no extra cost, in addition to our normal careful boxing. A personal message can be included if you wish

Shop Opening Hours
~both our shops are Open Monday to Saturday 10 to 5
We can open on a Sunday in our Norwich shop if you make an appointment, please ring 01603 766866

Price Match
~on Manufactured Bears. Click here for our Price Match Policy

Our Shop in Norwich

The Norwich Shop is situated in one of the old parts of the city. We are housed in a beautiful building in the ancient cobbled street of Elm Hill. The shop stands opposite the very Elm Tree from which the street takes it's name. At the rear is a peaceful garden designed by the late Gertrude Jeckyll
We have two large Georgian glass windows which are always stuffed with bears and shelves upon shelves of bears created by talented artists and all the top manufacturers
Even on the coldest and dampest of days there is a warm glow from the windows onto the cobbles in the street
Visitors are drawn in by the glow, and once inside they are encouraged to pick up the bears. We are definitely a 'hands on' rather than a 'don't touch' shop.
In the Summer, the sunlight filters through the Elm tree and softly warms the Bears. We open the garden then for special events, when Customers can chose their Bears outside.

Elm Hill in Norwich

Elm Hill is a charming and unique cobbled shopping street backed by the River Wensum and close to the magnificent Cathedral. It is one of the oldest parts of Norwich.
The street was destroyed by fire in 1507 and was rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries. Most of the present merchants' houses date from that period. Our shop is located in one of these.
In this picturesque part of Norwich you are welcome to shop, just browse or relax in one of the cafes and coffee houses.
In addition to teddy bears, you will find some unusual and unique items, including crafts, stamps & coins, wines, jewellery, paintings, antiques and a myriad of knick-knacks and collectibles.
Whatever you do, you are assured of our help, advice and good, old-fashioned service.
The street is almost traffic-free and car parking is available in The Monastery car park just around the corner from The Bear Shop.

Our Shop in Colchester

Colchester is famous for it's Roman hisory. Visitors come to see the Castle and other relics of our ancient past. Not to be outdone, our shop in Colchester has its very own ghost. It is said that a Roman legionaire haunts the cellar beneath the shop. Up above though, the shop is vibrant and alive with bears of every description.
We are located in the traffic-free area of St. Isaac's Walk, right in the town centre. Is it any wonder so many people just stop by for a cuddle?

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