A Noddy mechanical toy bought by Epping Town Council for £500 is yet to find a permanent home. The toy, which had been a staple on Epping high street for more than 20 years, was purchased after its original home, Piccola, a children’s clothes and toys store, closed just before Christmas after being open for 40 years.
Children were left “in tears” as the well-loved toy’s future was left uncertain. At the “eleventh hour”, the Epping Town Council stepped in, spending £500 from their amenities budget, saving the beloved toy. However, the new home for the toy remains unclear.
Epping councillor, Razia Sharif, who has been tasked with finding the new home for Noddy, shared that there are many different elements that need to be considered when finding a suitable place. Councillor Sharif said that shelter, a power source, finding considerate business owners, and taking into account the daily running costs are all factors which need to be taken into consideration.
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She added: “There are no definite plans as to where Noddy will reside at the moment. He will definitely stay in Epping.”
While the new home remains uncertain, Councillor Sharif said: “Noddy will need a full MOT, before his unveiling which should be sometime next month.”
Epping Councillor and Mayor of Epping, Cherry McCredie, who suggested the purchase, said: “We are looking at various options. We intend to keep Noddy in a central location, under a shelter (so that the local children can continue to enjoy him without getting wet) and where he can be brought in at night. We expect to have the result very soon so that he can continue to entertain the youngsters.”