Teddy bear passports to turn blue after Brexit at Merrythought in Ironbridge

At Merrythought, based in Coalbrookdale in the Ironbridge Gorge, replica passports are one of the most popular accessories for its collection of cuddly companions.

But bosses are planning to make the change to blue after Brexit, in line with real passports which will no longer be burgundy.

Sarah Holmes, managing director of Merrythought, said today they were already preparing for a return to a blue British passport in readiness for the UK leaving the EU.

The company sells a replica European Union United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passport, complete with identity pages, visa pages for stamps and notes for your bear's travels.

“This is a fun accessory for our Merrythought bears, and it is particularly popular with children and customers who like to travel with their bears,” Sarah said.

“Some Merrythought bears have been all over the world with their owners and have the stamps in their passports to prove it.

“With that in mind, we are looking at introducing a new design of our Merrythought Teddy Bear Passport to reflect the changes after Brexit."

The new blue and gold passports, complete with a new, super-strength plastic polycarbonate picture page, will only be issued to those renewing or applying for a new passport from October 2019.

Merrythought will adapt their new design according to the final version published by the passport office.

Merrythought celebrates its 90th anniversary next year and is currently working on its newest collection ready for a launch later this year.

“We love the idea that our bears inspire the imagination and going on adventures together is a big part of that," Miss Holmes said.

"It is why we also like to encourage travelling with your teddy bear, and the passport is a great way of keeping a special memento of those adventures.”