He is a unique sight which enchanted generations of bored children dragged out on back-to-school shopping trips.
But now, the spinning monkey of Stompers in the Royal Arcade is to go into retirement at the Norwich Museum in Bridewell Alley as the shop is set to close its doors.
When the shop closes, the animatronic monkey will be given to the museum where his current owner, Tim Catmull, hopes he will be displayed for people to enjoy in the same way he was in the arcade.
However, a spokesman for the museum said they could not yet confirm if the monkey would be placed in the window, or whether people will have to pay to see the artefact.
A LOCAL LEGEND
Tim Catmull, 60, who owns the shop said: "Some people have said it is outrageous that they are going to have to pay to see him in the museum.
"Once it is in the museum's possession they can do what they want with it but I like to think they will have a window because it is so popular.
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"It would be lovely on the window in Bridewell Alley so it could still be seen and bring people pleasure.
"We were a bit worried about what would happen to him but after we explained we were closing to Sarah, who works for us, we asked her what she thought we should do with him.
"She immediately said give it to Bridewell.
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"I think he means a huge amount to people.
"He does to us, we know we were a part of Norwich.
"We want to ensure he is looked after and is not sold on."
The monkey was installed in the window just six months after the shop open and was specially made for Stompers.
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Mr Catmull added: “I was getting sick of people coming to us and saying they had forgotten we were here.
"I called my father and asked him for ideas to make us stand out.
“He said he had watched a similar rotating monkey opposite his office every day for 25 years.
"We got the monkey specially made from an animatronics company.
"He cost around £500 and it was around the end of 1996 or the start of 1997.
"About 15 years ago he broke and we had to get him fixed by a specialist engineer.
"When that happened we bought a replacement from Austria for twice the price and it was rubbish compared.
"The people who made him made him with real care."
RETIREMENT?
Hannah Henderson a curator at the Museum of Norwich said: "While we are sad to see that Stompers is closing, we are excited to say that we have been in conversation with the owners and can confirm that the tumbling monkey will be coming to the museum.
"The monkey is a beloved part of the city's trading history and has its own cult following.
"People have such fond memories of seeing him in the Royal Arcade over the years, making folk smile as they pass by.
"And of course, there's always a lot of nostalgia surrounding buying children their first shoes, so the monkey is an important part of these precious moments.
"We will be looking for funding to support a new display.
"It would be great if we could create a project where we can collect people's memories linked to the monkey and celebrate what it means to people.
"The monkey after all is a local legend."
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