The greatly anticipated Fenwick Christmas window was unveiled in November 2017 and it did not disappoint. Crowds flocked to the focal point of Northumberland Street to see the magical ‘Love From Paddington’ window display come to life. Children waved flags and snow flakes gently fell on onlookers to celebrate the start of the festive season.
Founded in 1882, Fenwick Newcastle is a luxurious department store located in the heart of the city centre and is the flagship of the Fenwick Group. The Fenwick Group is an independent family business which has a portfolio of over nine stores throughout the United Kingdom. Alongside the Christmas window people visit Fenwick to explore the iconic five floors which sell everything from food to clothing. With thirteen tempting eateries and personal shopping services, it is the landmark of any visit to Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Inspired by Michael Bond’s much loved bear, the Fenwick Christmas window mirrors famous scenes from the popular Paddington Bear books. Their popularity is illuminated via their literary success since thirty five million copies have been sold worldwide and have been translated in over thirty different languages.
‘It’s a huge pleasure to feature such an iconic children’s character in our 2017 animated windows. We hope everyone enjoys themselves and wish all a very happy Christmas.’
Matt McWhinnie, Head of Marketing at Fenwick Newcastle
Walking along Northumberland Street, festive shoppers are immersed into a literary world for example Paddington’s first meeting with the Browns at Paddington Station and tea with in Mr Gruber’s antiques shop. The series of delightful vignettes concludes with Paddington welcoming in the Christmas season by helping Jonathan and Judy to decorate their tree. The Fenwick Christmas window celebrates Paddington’s 60th birthday next year.
Every Christmas, Fenwick Newcastle designs a new window display which is always met by a wave of popularity amongst adults and children alike. Previous window schemes have been distinctly unique and memorable, including Aladdin in 1975, Treasure Island in 1977, A Christmas Carol in 1980, Gulliver in 2006 and The Night Before Christmas in 2010.
The window has marked landmark events in the business, for example in 2011 it successfully celebrated forty years of the window. Last year, the window captured the Beatrix Potter canon; animating the famous characters including Jeremy Fisher and Jemima Puddle-Duck.
Matt McWhinnie, Head of Marketing at Fenwick Newcastle, told The Courier: ‘It’s a huge pleasure to feature such an iconic children’s character in our 2017 animated windows. We hope everyone enjoys them and wish all a very happy Christmas.’
