Socially Distanced Santa Embraces QR Codes

Friday, 4 December 2020 16:33

A social distanced Grotto is opening this weekend in Scarborough

Santa Claus is coming to town but in a COVID friendly way.

Scarborough children will be able to visit Father Christmas in a socially distanced Grotto at Brunswick from this weekend.

As with many things this year it will be a bit a little different from normal as Santa will sitting behind a perspex safety
screen and Santa’s elves will not only be helping to hand out the gifts but also making sure that everyone maintains a safe distance.

Brunswick say their Grotto is large enough to safely accommodate one family group at a time. They say there's no need to pre-book as
the Grotto will be operating a virtual queuing system using QR codes.

The team at the Brunswick say the system involves the use of a smart phone and will enable people to queue virtually and will warn them when their slot is coming up.

When you arrive at Brunswick scan a QR code stationed outside of Grotto and around the Centre. The Grotto is located next to Trespass on the Ground Floor.
The QR code brings up a web page in which customers can fill in their details such as name and number.
You are then free to shop you can check back with the app to view your position in the queue.
When you are 3rd in the queue you will receive a notification asking you to head back towards the Grotto.
Upon arrival, you will be asked to stand in a small holding queue directly outside the Grotto.
Following hand sanitisation Santa's elf will welcome the family into the Grotto for their experience with Santa.

Visits to see Santa in the grotto are FREE and include a small gift. Visitor are being asked to make a donation to Brunswick’s joint Christmas Hamper Appeal with The Salvation Army which aims to provide festive food parcels to local families in need.

The Santa’s Grotto at Brunswick will be open from 10:30 - 13.30 & 14.30 - 16.30 on

Saturday, 5 December,
Sunday, 6 December,
Saturday, 12 December,
Sunday, 13 December,
Friday, 18 December,
Saturday, 19 December,
Sunday, 20 December,
Monday, 21 December,
Tuesday, 22 December
Wednesday, 23 December.

Sue Anderson - Brown centre manager at Brunswick said:

“Christmas really is for the children and we know how special it is for them to meet Santa and share those all-important
Christmas wishes.
“The festive season is going to be a little different this year, and we want to try and make up for what has been a very difficult year for everybody. We’ve taken a lot of time to make sure we can deliver that special festive spirit while making sure everyone can visit safely with
confidence."