Ho Ho Hopefully Seeking Santa

Otter Garden Centres is scouring East Devon for extra Santas to join its Christmas Grotto team.

The annual grotto in Ottery St Mary has been a popular family event since the 1980s, bringing the magic of Christmas to local children. Meeting Santa and receiving a personal gift is the highlight of the experience and this year there are openings for new Santas to join the team.

Marketing Manager, Sabine Taylor said: “Being Santa is a fun role but also an important one – for many children this will be their first visit to the man in red and we want them to truly believe.”

The award-winning grotto has become an annual tradition for many families, with some parents who came when they were young now bringing their own children. Santa’s elves and helpers are recruited from The Kings School and the local area with many returning year-on-year to help create the magic for children.

Prime dates in December sold out in record time and there are just a few dates remaining.

Ideal candidates for the role of Santa will be authentic lookalikes with twinkly eyes, who enjoy the company of children and families. They will need to be able to think on their feet because, as everyone knows, children sometimes ask interesting questions.

Sabine explained: “Every Santa will be expertly trained and given a quality costume, so they will look the part. Experience is a plus, of course, but having the right personality and a happy disposition is more important.

“Only those with a love of all things Christmas need apply!” she added.

For more information, email sabine.taylor@ottergardencentres.com or call Sabine on 07855 742388.