Socially distanced Santa's grotto will 'try not to take away that little bit of magic' as regional event opens at Westpoint.
Organisers of today's inaugural Devonshire County Christmas Market at Westpoint have outlined their plans for a socially distanced Santa’s grotto - warning there's no sitting on Father Christmas' knee.
Last updated 11th Dec 2020
Children and Father Christmas will be kept a distance apart and there will be no close contact - i.e sitting on Santa’s knee.
Trader Matt Blakey is the man behind the market, which he set up after his other events were all cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
He said: ”We’ve got a great big open log cabin.
“It’s one family at a time. They’ll be socially distanced from Santa – obviously you can’t get too close to Santa. There’ll be a little backstory for that as well.
“We’re going to have to try and work it so we don’t scare the kids but at the same time explain that Santa needs to go out and deliver all the presents to all the children so we have to make sure he’s nice and safe as well.
“We’re going to do it very tactfully but at the same time try not to take away that little bit of magic.
“Everything is cleaned out every time someone comes out. There’s nothing being touched we’re working on a system where parents will put presents on a table.
“They can then pick the present up themselves. There’ll be no full on contact with Santa obviously this year.
“We’re working on a two-three metre distance just to try and keep it apart.
“He can talk to the kids. We’re even looking at potentially getting a little face mask for Santa as well.
“We’re trying to make sure that everything is covered with all the Government rulings because at the end of the day, as they say, the scientists know best. The Government advise and we follow exactly what they want us to do.”
For more about the Devonshire County Christmas Market on December 11-13 click here