Rainbow Designs has announced a UK licensing partnership with Coolabi ahead of the heritage brand’s 50th anniversary.
Rainbow Designs
will be launching an exclusive new range of Bagpuss plush toys, which will be available to UK consumers this autumn/winter.
Licensed by Coolabi Licensing, the iconic and much-loved British animated children’s television series Bagpuss will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. Co-created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate through their production company Smallfilms, the Bagpuss series, which ran for a total of 13 episodes, has left a lasting legacy.
For over 50 years, Rainbow Designs has been creating high quality, made-to-last toys for babies and children inspired by beloved characters from children’s literature.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bagpuss to Rainbow’s family of classic characters ahead of his 50th anniversary celebration next year,” commented Anthony Temple, managing director, Rainbow Designs. “This much-loved saggy cloth cat has created so many superb childhood memories for both parents and grandparents, families now have the opportunity to enjoy this delightful character with their children, creating new, lasting memories, which is such a wonderful gift.”
He added: “Bagpuss is a hugely iconic and instantly recognisable character. We received a fantastic response to our new super cuddly, yawning soft toy at all the trade shows this season, and we absolutely cannot wait to have him on the shelves and available to consumers later this year.”
Fran Huxley, Coolabi Group, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Rainbow Designs to bring Bagpuss into homes across the UK ahead of his 50th anniversary celebration in 2024, with further announcements to be made later this year.”
The magical, saggy old cloth cat has consistently been voted to the top positions of many polls of Greatest Children’s TV shows over the last 20 years. Peter Firmin, was honoured with a Special BAFTA Children’s Award in 2014 for his contribution to Children’s TV with Bagpuss proving to be the star of the show.
