The Build-A-Bear toy chain advised customers against planning trips to its stores on Thursday after a “Pay Your Age” event led to “extreme crowds and safety concerns”.
The retailer said there had been an “unprecedented” response to the promotion in which customers pay the age of the child they are accompanying for one of a range of stuffed toys, which normally cost around £20.
Stores across the country saw high demand with long queues forming outside shops in Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool while in Belfast the police were called.
Staff were forced to close the store in the city’s Victoria Square complex on Thursday due to “safety concerns” as customers turned up en masse to avail themselves of the ‘pay your age’ deal, and police were called at 12.40pm but said no offences had been detected.
In a statement, Build-A-Bear said: “The response to our Pay Your Age Day event at all of our UK locations has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history.
The rumors are true! ? July 12 is the first-ever Pay Your Age Day at Build-A-Bear Workshop! For one day only, you can pay your age for ANY, we repeat, ANY furry friend at the Workshop*! Full Details US/CAN: https://t.co/NumcznV7vt UK: https://t.co/hHhpIi9F6s pic.twitter.com/UWXyMDm4x6
— Build-A-Bear Workshop (@buildabear) July 9, 2018
“The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and, per local authorities, queues are at capacity and we cannot accept additional guests due to extreme crowds and safety concerns.
“We understand our guests are disappointed, and we are working to address the situation. We will reach out directly to our valued guests as soon as possible.”
Build-a-Bear have issued the following statement – The response to our Pay Your Age Day event at all of our U.K. locations has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history.The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and…
— Festival Place (@FestivalPlace) July 12, 2018
Customers who attempted to take advantage of the offer took to social media to report staff advising them that they could have to queue for hours.
The queue at build a bear . Livingston @buildabear . Right round the mall and outside pic.twitter.com/AFf93q8xvy
— Tank-Juicy (@tank_juicy) July 12, 2018
Build-A-Bear warned on Wednesday that it was anticipating long lines and waiting times, adding that it would “make every effort to help as many guests as possible participate in this first-time event”.
Hundreds of people queuing in @intuChapelfield (seriously, around 600 the security guy told me). I assumed there was a new iPhone out. Nope. Special offer at Build A Bear… Oh well, that’s one way to come to terms with World Cup ? pic.twitter.com/0fQgipocEc
— Chris Goreham (@CGoreham) July 12, 2018
The HotUKDeals website posted on Facebook this morning: “Uh oh … Build a Bear pay your age event is drawing INSANE crowds.
“People are being told NOT to go as at least three store have been forced to closed due to sheer numbers of people turning up and worries for peoples safety!”
Slightly underestimated the queue for the @buildabear today #payyourage #themallcribbs pic.twitter.com/RwNljNdo26
— Lyndsey (@jonesy_lynz) July 12, 2018
Neil Saunders, managing director of analysts GlobalData Retail, said: “The decision to shut stores and end the promotion early was necessary on both safety and operational grounds, but it will damage the brand.
“A lot of parents are now upset that they cannot fulfil promises to their children, and many who made special trips to malls are frustrated that their efforts have come to nothing.
“In our view, Build-A-Bear is going to have to take some action to remedy this, maybe by offering deals and special offers to those affected. This could have a future impact on profits, although it will be helpful to sales volumes.”
