Southport BID feature by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Families are looking forward to enjoying the free Bear Hunt trail in Southport throughout the school Easter holidays.
The bears have become a firm favourite with people of all ages from across the country since they arrived at 10 different locations across the town centre on 1st February 2025, inspired by the iconic ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ children’s picture book.
Thousands of people have submitted their completed trail entries so far, with the chance to win prizes including a trip to Legoland Windsor or a Nintendo Switch with games from GAME Southport.
The Bear Hunt trail is a fun activity which enables visitors to explore different parts of the town.
It’s a free day out, perfect when combined with a visit to local shops, restaurants, cafes or attractions.
Southport BID and Sefton Council have teamed up with Wild in Art and Walker Books to bring the much-loved children’s book to life.
You can discover the individually hand-painted sculptures, which feature unique designs from talented artists and illustrators from around the UK, until 27th April 2025.
The trail has encouraged visitors from Southport and across the Liverpool City Region, as well as from places such as Manchester, Yorkshire, Wigan, Chesire, Wales, London and others.
Ed Lamb the Manager at Waterstones bookshop on Chapel Street in Southport town centre said:
“The Bear Hunt trail has been absolutely fantastic!
“It has given the town a real boost in footfall.
“Customers have really enjoyed doing the trail and finding all the bears. Children in particular have been so excited to see them.
“We have seen an increase in sales here as a result. It has been a superb reaction.
“We stock We’re Going On A Bear Hunt story books and activity books. It’s an iconic children’s book that we would normally sell throughout the year anyway. But since the Bear Hunt trail started, the sales have been going really well.
“Lots of people have called into Waterstones to collect Bear Hunt trail maps; we are also a drop-off point for completed responses.
“We’re expecting it to get even busier over the school Easter holidays as more families come into Southport to enjoy it.
“I love the bears! They are brilliant – so colourful, and all very different.
“Having the Bear Hunt trail is an extra draw for Southport and even more reason for families to come and enjoy spending time in Southport this Easter.”
The Bear Hunt is a free family-friendly activity perfect for all ages. Those looking for a fun day out can follow the trail map and use clues at each location to answer bear-themed questions.
Visitors have the choice of completing a shorter trail which includes seven sculptures, or the full trail, which features all ten bears.
Southport BID Head of Operations Luke Randles said:
“We do lots of initiatives like this across the year to encourage people into Southport and to explore the town centre.
“We had this opportunity to host these amazing giant bears designed by individual artists.
“They are here until 27th April and across the Easter holidays.
“We have had people from all across the country coming and visiting the town centre and loving the trail.
“The bears are really impressive. They are in some lovely locations around the town centre – outside The Atkinson; outside Silcock’s Funland and Carousel; inside Wayfarers Arcade.
“There are some brilliant selfie opportunities and we have seen plenty of those pictures on social media! We love to see people sharing pictures of them.
“The bears are all very different from each other. We have been working with a company called Wild In Art which specialises in these events. Artists from across the country have designed these 10 unique bears.
“People can collect the trail maps in different locations in Southport town centre or they can download the maps from the Southport BID website.
“It makes for a really fun day out and you could also win some great prizes.
“It’s a free activity and can be the basis of a great free day out. It’s a great opportunity to go hunting for these bears and to visit our superb shops and restaurants and cafes, pop up to Ocean Plaza, go to the cinema, go for a ride on Silcock’s Carousel, take in some fresh air and enjoy an unforgettable day out in our great town.”
Printed maps can be downloaded from the Southport BID website or can be picked up at The Atkinson Library, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Vue Cinema, Silcock’s Funland, and Waterstones in Southport.
Completed maps can be dropped off at The Atkinson Library, Waterstones or you can enter your answers online.
Two lucky winners will be drawn at random after 27th April.
There is a colouring competition available at town centre cafes and eateries, where children can design their own bear.
‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ was published in 1989 and was written by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.
Published by Walker Books, it has attained worldwide sales of more than 9 million copies.
For the latest information on We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Southport, head to www.southportbid.com/bear-hunt and make sure to follow Your Southport on Facebook and Instagram.
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