Father Christmas made his way through the shopping centre with his helpers greeting visitors along the way, before taking up residence in his grotto and listening to Christmas wishes from over 600 of Merthyr’s children.
To celebrate Santa’s arrival, the shopping centre held a Christmas craft fair where local people were selling handmade festive decorations and unique gifts suitable for all members of the family. A balloon modeller was also entertaining young visitors and the Llwydcoed Brass Band played festive favourites.
Julie Calderbank, Operations Manager at St Tydfil Shopping Centre, commented:
“We’re delighted to welcome Father Christmas back to St Tydfil Shopping Centre. It’s such a magical time of the year for young children and it was wonderful to see their excited faces when they visited the grotto.”
The grotto at St Tydfil Shopping Centre is free to visit and opens at 10am every Friday and Saturday until 22nd December. It closes at 4pm and, due to its popularity, visitors are encouraged to leave enough time to queue before Santa needs to return to the North Pole. All children who visit will receive a goody bag and can post their letters to Father Christmas into the special post box next to the grotto.
Santa’s sleigh will be at the centre every day leading up to Christmas for visitors to sit in and take photos. Christmas craft fairs will also take place on Saturday 1st December and Saturday 15th December.
