Last week the Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Mims Davies, met with experts representing the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), including one of the most famous toy makers of all time…Santa Claus!
The event held in Parliament aimed to highlight Britain’s £4.2 billion toy industry, bringing together member businesses based across the UK, Members of Parliament, Peers and wider industry stakeholders to celebrate the growth of the sector and the important contribution of quality, safe toys to the fabric of our UK society.
Commenting afterwards, Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said:
“I was delighted to be able to meet with representatives from the British Toy and Hobby Association - and Santa! – and personally thank them for the great collection of toys that they donated last year to our local toy library in Eastleigh which is expertly run by the YMCA Group.
“It was great to hear that this key industry is continuing to grow, greatly thanks to the confidence that the international community continue to have in the safety of the products that businesses large and small across the country – and within our area – produce.
“Again the key advice for each and every one of us that came out of this event was to take care when purchasing toys both online and in the High Street, ensuring that they are inscribed with safety marks as set by Trading Standards.
“I was also really pleased that, one again, the BTHA Team have kindly agreed to make a donation of toys to a local organisation...and I’d love some suggestions of where those toys should go! To make a suggestion please email me at mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk”
The BTHA promotes the highest standards of safety and quality in the manufacture of toys, games and playthings, whilst also promoting best practice in all areas of the toy business.