London Build-a-Bear Recommendation?

[cordiality]

My DS got a build a bear voucher for xmas as one of his main presents. Yesterday we went into London, to selfridges, for him to make his bear.
it was so disappointing there - very small concession, disinterested staff, almost no stock, very few outfits available apart from Disney princesses.
We left without buying and he was very disheartened/upset. He has adhd and finds it hard to regulate those sorts of emotions, so it was tough for him.
i can get into London again with him tomorrow, to give it another go, but which is the right build a bear to go for? I can’t get it wrong again!! Is county hall good, as it’s stand alone? Do I have to brave going into hamleys??
Any advice gratefully received 🐻

What about buying online?

The Hamley's one isn't very big. Similar size to Selfridge's one.
There's one at the O2 which is quite good. (I can't compare it to the County Hall one because I have never managed to find it 😂)

It is some time since my DC used to visit it but the Croydon branch in the Centrale shopping centre was very good and a short walk from East Croydon station.

Croydon one is long gone I am afraid.

It’s a good idea, but he really wants the ‘experience’ apparently!

Oh! That’s interesting, we’ll be there on New Year’s Eve… perhaps we should just do that and bin the trip today!! (That would be a great result)

Sorry, that was in reply to @Needmorelego !

The County Hall one isn't great either.

Best one I've been too is BRighton, but obviously that's not London.

Bluewater is ok

There is a huge outlet one at Icon at the 02 (or at least there was). The prices are slightly cheaper as well so will get a lovely experience and also more for his money.

Ah apologies, someone else has also recommended that. We found it really good though, found a specific one in there that he hadn’t been able to get anywhere else (my son still takes him to bed with him even at age 12!)

Depending on which side of London you are, I thought Basingstoke were excellent. Really made it magical and fun for my DD this summer.

Thank you all so much for this, it’s all so helpful. We’ll go to the one at o2 arena, on New Year’s Eve, before Disney on ice, to really end 2022 with a bang😂
Will let you all know how we do, and if my DH manages to survive the day…

I've been to the County Hall one btw. It is quite small so the selection may not be great (I can't compare it to any of the others mentioned as the only other one I have been to is Bromley, which is now closed sadly).

Thought I would update this thread! Didn’t make it to the o2 at new year as we welcomed 2023 in with norovirus instead!

However, we have been in Brighton over half term and went to the branch there, and he loved it! Good size shop, lots of options, lots of stuff that wasn’t princesses/fairies, and he is thrilled with his ‘frog wearing a Pokémon hoody and cargo shorts and football boots’. Who wouldn’t be.

Thanks for all the advice on here, it was incredible helpful 👍👍🙏🏼