Come and say hello to Santa
SANTA’S Grotto is coming back to intu Metrocentre this year – and today we can reveal the dates!
intu Metrocentre has joined forces with preschool toys manufacturer Playmobil for the second year running to create a unique free Christmas Grotto experience for children in the North East.
Santa’s free Grotto will be offering children the chance to meet some larger than life Playmobil figures alongside Santa himself during its run – from Saturday, November 11, to Christmas Eve, December 24.
Every child over the age of 18 months who visits Santa and his elves will leave the free Grotto with a Playmobil gift, while younger visitors will receive a cute animal toy.
The grotto, situated in the lower Qube, underneath intu Metrocentre’s giant Christmas tree, is one of eight being launched in partnership with Playmobil at intu shopping centres across the UK.
Santa and Mrs Claus are also running some very special signing sessions at the Grotto for children with hearing impairments who can communicate using sign language.
The sessions will take place from 10am until 11am on Sundays, December 3, 10 and 17 – a truly memorable way for children to join in the festive fun. As each visit lasts five minutes, places for signing sessions are limited and must be booked in advance at intu.co.uk/metrocentre/events/signing-santa to avoid disappointment. Helen Atkinson, marketing manager at intu Metrocentre, said: “At intu Metrocentre we know how important it is to make magical Christmas memories that last a lifetime – from finding the perfect stocking filler and selecting new baubles to enjoying festive treats with loved ones. “Meeting Santa Claus has to be top of the list for our smallest visitors, which is why we’re so pleased to be able to team up for the second year running with one of the world’s best known toy manufacturers to give all the good boys and girls in the North East the chance to visit our free Christmas Grotto over the festive season and tell Santa exactly what’s on their wish list for Christmas Day.” Jamie Dickinson, Playmobil marketing manager, added: “We’re really excited to be taking this opportunity to visit intu shopping centres throughout the UK, and bringing children a special playmobil experience this Christmas.”