Santa's grotto to return to Holdens

Businesses in the Newark area have come together to give Father Christmas a helping hand with an initiative that aims to give children a magical festive experience and raise money for two charities.

Newark's Newest Santa's Grotto was launched last year and proved such a hit it has been decided to repeat it.

The idea came from businesswomen and mums Emma Holden of Holdens and Rachel Wilson from the Advertiser. They agreed there was a need for somewhere that children could be taken for an extra-special Santa experience, without having to leave Newark.

The organisers of the project are the Advertiser, Holdens, Radio Newark, Toymaster, Cre8 Studios and Rorla Designs.

"The Advertiser is involved in this because we feel it is really important to support local retailers and the town centre," said Rachel.

"We are delighted to help any project that encourages people to shop locally."

The grotto will be based in Holdens, as it was last year.

Emma said: "Last was a phenomenal success. We saw 564 children and everybody loved it.

"People have already been asking for this year's dates, so we know there will be demand again.

"I think it just shows how much people wanted a great local experience, that doesn't take them out of town for a day, and doesn't cost a fortune."

Money raised will go to Children's Bereavement Centre in Newark and the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance in memory of Daniel Harris #dab4daniel.

Everyone involved with the project gives their time free. There are some set-up costs so the organisers decided this year to seek sponsorship to ensure maximum benefit for the charities.

Rachel said they were delighted that the businesses they had approached have been extremely generous and as a result they had managed to secure £6,600.

"Our target was £6,000 and so it is fantastic that we have managed to break it," said Rachel.

A team of volunteers is now being recruited to be Santa and elves. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Emma on 07803 903824.

Visits to the Santa's Grotto cost £7.50 per child, which includes a gift and a mounted photograph.

Magical experiences have been organised for an extra-special Christmas treat. They consist of an hour-long visit, which costs £15 and includes a gift, a mounted photograph, Christmas treasure hunt and activities, story time and refreshments for parents.

It will be launched on November 25­— the day of the Christmas light switch-on ­— when it will be open from 11am to 5pm.

Places can be booked from tomorrow. To reserve a place visit www.radionewark.co.uk/santas-grotto

Newark Castle Rotary Club is planning to run its Santa's Grotto in the Buttermarket Shopping Centre, starting on November 25.

It will then be open on Saturdays until December 22.