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UK’s oldest toy museum closes and launches fundraiser

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pollock's toy museum london

Pollock’s Toy Museum is home to a collection of toy theatres, dolls, games and “elderly teddy bears”.

Pollock’s Toy Museum, the oldest toy museum in the UK, has announced its closure. In order to reopen, “major capital funding” is needed.

Found in London‘s Fitzrovia district, Pollock’s Toy Museum is home to a collection of toy theatres, dolls, games and “elderly teddy bears”. These are now temporarily in storage.

Per a statement on the museum’s website, it is looking for another home and has closed “due to a change in circumstances regarding the ownership of the buildings”. The museum has launched a fundraiser.

“We have already started exploring possibilities for a secure future for the museum and collection, in a location that will preserve its character while providing more space. For this, major capital funding in cash or in kind will be needed,” the museum said.

Pollock’s Toy Museum looking for new home

“In the short term, we have expenses to cover and limited resources, so contributions at any level are very welcome, and can be made on here.”

Until now, the collection has been housed in two 18th and 19th century buildings in Fitzrovia. It includes tin toys, dolls houses, puppets and optical toys.

Pollock’s Toy Museum was founded in 1955 by Marguerite Fawdry, who set up a shop and museum in Covent Garden. The museum grew from a small attic room before relocating to Fitzrovia in 1969.

It is now run by Jack Fawdry-Tatham and Emily Baker, as is the Pollock’s Toy Museum Trust.

“Although this is heartbreaking news, we are hoping this will be the a scene change and not the final act,” said Baker and Fawdry-Tatham (via the Art Newspaper).

Images: Polllock’s Toy Museum

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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