Paddington Bear statue that was damaged and stolen will be returning to Newbury!

Following his ordeal that grabbed headlines around the world, it has now been confirmed that Paddington will be returning to Newbury.

News of the theft of Newbury’s beloved Paddington Bear statue from a bench on Northbrook Street went global when it was discovered damaged and stolen on the morning of Sunday, March 2.

Two men have since been arrested and charged with criminal damage in connection with the incident, and mourners have been leaving jars of marmalade, marmalade sandwiches and even poems on the bench where Paddington used to sit.

The Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) has now confirmed that the duffel coat wearing bear will be returning to sit on the bench once again.

In an update to town centre businesses, Newbury BID CEO Trish Willetts said: “Well what can we say, what a start to the month.

“We are in early conversations with the STUDIOCANAL team, who own the IP for Paddington, and we are delighted to confirm that we will be able to bring him back.

“A date is still to be confirmed, but we are looking sooner rather than later.”

The BID also stated there will be a cost implication to this, and it is looking for sponsorship and external funding rather than using its own reserves.

Mrs Willetts also expressed her gratitude to everyone who had already offered to help fund the project, of which there have been several.