Does pram request signal the patter of tiny meerkat paws?

Published on Tuesday 9 February 2010 09:07

IT IS a prop that begs only one question – is Aleksandr the meerkat planning a family?

Producers behind the latest "Compare the Meerkat" advert left one team of Edinburgh shopworkers gobsmacked when they asked to borrow a pram for filming.

Crews entered Mary's Living and Giving charity shop in Stockbridge two weeks ago, initially determined to buy the old-fashioned item for a shoot on the city's Royal Mile – footage that will feature in the next advert in the hugely popular series.

Andy Moody, mobile store manager, said: "It was a woman who asked us and seemed quite embarrassed when she said it was for the new advert.

"We got really excited though – our pram could be famous."

Mr Moody and his team had to tell the film crew that the pram – small and Victorian in style – was not for sale and instead formed a permanent part of the charity shop's display.

The crew was determined the pram must feature in the advert, so struck up a deal to hire it out for two days for a flat charge of 25.

Mr Moody said: "They had just come into the shop – it's not as if they could see the pram from the window.

"However, when they saw it they really wanted it. I thought it must have been for some sort of period production, not the meerkat adverts."

The small pram found a home in the charity shop, on Raeburn Place, when it opened on behalf of Save the Children before Christmas.

The shop – launched by retail guru Mary Portas – specialises in vintage clothing and quirky household items, with the pram currently storing a selection of teddy bears.

Manager Barbara Williams had grown fond of it in its former home – her friend's hall.

She said: "She actually bought it in a charity shop years ago in Newcastle.

"She now lives in the Borders and used to have it in her hall, but was going to give it away.

"I asked if I could have it for the new shop. People are always asking to buy it, but we wouldn't sell it, unless the price was right."

Russian meerkat Aleksandr Orlov is central to the advertising campaign for Compare The Market – a price comparison website.

He has stolen the hearts of millions of television viewers since he appeared on their screens last year, now famous for such catchphrases as "simples".

Ms Williams said: "The adverts are absolutely fabulous – I love them. We're delighted and cannot wait to see our pram on television.

"We're all keen to know though, does this mean Aleksandr is going to have meerkat babies?"

A spokeswoman for Compare the Market said the company was in the process of putting together its next advert, but could not confirm what role the Edinburgh pram would take.

She said: "The advert will be coming out in the next couple of months."