One of Sheffield’s ‘local landmarks’ set to disappear from Ecclesall Road

Julius the bear has greeted passersby from the window of his home on Ecclesall Road, beside the St Luke’s charity shop for eight years.

But the hugely popular cuddly toy is set to bow out of the limelight when he moves with his owner to Broomhill next Tuesday, July 28.

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Duncan Parsons told how after Julius was left in his lobby in 2012, he took inspiration from Bagpuss and placed the teddy in his window to see if anyone would claim it.

No one did, but Julius attracted a lot of attention, with people young and old stopping to point and smile at the furry critter as they passed over the years.

"For the last eight years children walking to school, or out with their parents and grandparents, have waved to Julius,” said Duncan.

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"Sometimes as I've glanced out of my window, I've seen folk in their 20s and 20s point, smiling and laughing at this huge teddy watching the world go by.

"Eccy Road has had a few window landmarks – in the last couple of decades there have been the larger than life-size David Hasselhoff and Darth Vader cut outs that have come and gone.

“Now, sadly, with me moving to Broomhill, Julius will be coming with me, leaving Ecclesall Road to wait for the next huge item to grace a window, watching the traffic pass by.”

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With no public-facing window at his new property, Julius will be retiring from public life for now.