We excitedly step into March as the days slowly start to stretch and the first hints of spring appear. February has been a busy and brilliant month for character events.
One of the biggest talking points of this month has come from the world of Peppa Pig, as her little brother George made headlines after being fitted with a hearing aid following a diagnosis of moderate, permanent hearing loss.
Paddington™ made appearances across London to celebrate the launch of the new Paddington x Lush collection, made with fresh ingredients and seriously good manners.
Legoland Windsor celebrates its 30th birthday this year, marking the milestone with interactive experiences, including the chance to meet the world's first-ever LEGO Birthday Cake Guy at the park.
Peter Rabbit™ hopped his way around shopping centres across the UK as part of Ebebek’s retail initiative – together his charm (and their wonderful Peter Rabbit collection), increased a drive in footfall.
And in schools up and down the country, Number Day was marked with plenty of mathematical fun – with Numberblocks’ very own Numberblock One making a very special visit alongside the NSPCC.
It's been a packed month, and we have plenty more exciting events lined up ahead!
Please note: events can be subject to change.
1st March: Peppa Pig & George Pig Meet & Greet – The Entertainer, Milton Keynes
3rd March: Little Miss Sunshine & Mr Bump Meet & Greet – Battersea Power Station, London
5th March: Peppa Pig Meet & Greet – The Reader, Liverpool
7th March: Tiger that Came to Tea Meet & Greet - Hamleys, London
7th March: Bluey Meet & Greet – Llangollen & Corwen Railway, North Wales
7th March: Peter Rabbit™ Meet & Greet - Broad Street Mall, Reading
7th March: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, Edinburgh
7th March: Peppa Pig & George Pig Meet & Greet – The Entertainer, Metro Centre
7th March: Gabby and Cakey Meet & Greet – Barleylands Farm Park & Village
8th March: Danger Mouse Meet & Greet - Forbidden Planet Camden
8th March: Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greet – Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park, Edinburgh
8th March: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Bo’ness & Kinnel Railway Edinburgh
14th March: CoComelon’s JJ Meet & Greet – The Square, Tallaght, Dublin
14th March: Madame Cholet & Tobermory Meet & Greet – Romford’s Great British Sprint Clean
14th March: Peppa Pig & George Pig Meet & Greet – The Entertainer, Edinburgh
21st March: CoComelon’s JJ from CoComelon Meet & Geet – Smyths, Old Kent Road
21st March: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Quorn & Woodhouse Station, Leicestershire
21st March: Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greet – Reddish Vale Farm Park, Stockport
21st March: Sylvanian Families Freya Meet & Greet – Smyths Old Kent Road
21st March: PAW Patrols Chase & Rubble Meet & Greet – South of England Rare Breeds, Kent
21st March: Very Hungry Caterpillar Narration – Walthamstow Wetlands
21st March: Gruffalo & Child Meet & Greet – Blaenavon Heritage Railway
22nd March: Hey Duggee Meet & Greet – Woburn Safari Park
28th March: Bluey Meet & Greet - The Entertainer, Bluewater
28th March: Paddington™ Narration – Hertfordshire Zoo
28th March: Gruffalo & Child Meet & Greet – Llanfair Caereinion Railway Station
28th March: SpongeBob Meet & Greet - The Works Merry Hill, Birmingham The Fort
29th March: SpongeBob Meet & Greet – The Works, Beckton Retail Park, Bromley
29th March: Paddington™ Narration – Hertfordshire Zoo
29th March: Bluey Narration – Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster
29th March: Peter Rabbit Meet & Greet – Bucklebury Farm, Reading
29th March: Gruffalo & Child Meet & Greet – Llanfair Careinion Railway Station
31st March: Paddington™ Meet & Greet – Woburn Safari Park, Milton Keynes
31st March: Bluey Meet & Greet – Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Norfolk
Rainbow Productions has seen sales of its mascot costumes rocket past pre-covid levels as people flock back to live events and gatherings.
The character and costume specialist manufacturers all costumes by hand from its London premises in Colliers Wood. The new unit, purchased with the support of challenger business bank Allica Bank, is based nearby and will allow Rainbow to increase its capacity as demand for both new mascots and its aftercare services have grown, potentially increasing their operating capacity by as much as a third.
The property was purchased using a commercial mortgage from Allica Bank, which is a challenger bank specifically focused on supporting established businesses like Rainbow with a combination of relationship manager support and powerful technology.
The MD of Rainbow Productions, Simon Foulkes, said, “Rainbow has seen some fantastic growth on the back of soaring demand for live events, which has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
“We’re incredibly pleased to have acquired our new unit with the help of Allica Bank and our relationship manager, Martin. Once fully operational, it will enable us to operate much more efficiently and give us the confidence to continue to grow the business in line with demand. It also secures our future in the local area which is so important given our hugely talented pool of colleagues.”
Talking about the support they provided to Rainbow Productions, their relationship manager at Allica Bank, Martin Parker, said, “Allica Bank is thrilled to partner with such an exciting, growing business like Rainbow Productions. Simon and his team have vast experience, which they combine with immense creative talent, and have a clear vision for the firm that made them the perfect business for Allica to support. It is also wonderful to work with a business that exists to make people smile!
“Allica Bank is committed to serving established businesses like Rainbow, who are such a core part of our local communities. As their relationship manager, I am looking forward to working closely with them to see how else we can help them grow. Maybe we’ll even see an Allica Bank mascot enter the scene!”
Unit 3 & 4,
Greenlea Park
Prince Georges Road
London
SW19 2JD
UK
