Santa shortage means city centre grotto won't open

A Santa shortage means a grotto in Cardiff cannot open this year.

The attraction on Queen Street in the city centre said it only had "limited applicants" for the role of Father Christmas.

Posts from September on the grotto’s Facebook page suggested successful applicants would be offered "great pay, working in a warm log cabin" and said the role would be suited to a "retired gent".

But it seems there were not enough takers, with many families posting on social media about their disappointment and the fact they are now looking for alternatives.

An apparent lack of Santas is not a surprise to Mark Roberts from Gelligaer in Caerphilly county who has been a professional Santa since the Covid pandemic.

The 63-year-old is fully booked for this Christmas and next already and is in constant demand.

He said: "People message saying ‘our Santa has let us down. Can you come and fill in the gap?’

"Anyone can put on a suit but there’s a reason why professional Santas are in big demand.

"It is a hard job - sometimes I am sitting on that sleigh, I have a walk around and I am cooked, baking and constantly being fed cold drinks from my partner."

Despite the pressure, Mark, who is currently building this year’s grotto in his garden, says the reward is huge and something he loves.

Finding the right person for the role is also a focus for Victoria Wilson from Imagination Alive Productions whose two Santas and other festive characters are working with the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, this year.

"There is a very specific kind of person you need," she said.

"It has to be someone who loves bringing magic to life."

Stamina is also important - "Santa can’t look tired" said Victoria - adding that changing attitudes can also make the role challenging .

"It can be a bit of a minefield when you work with the public and with children that you don’t say the wrong thing or encourage something that the parents might not like - for example there are some parents who don’t like naughty or nice any more," she said.

While the grotto on Queen Street will not be running this year, in a post on Facebook the attraction organisers apologised and said it hoped to be open again next year.