Merrion Centre Launches Accessible Santa’s Grotto
The Merrion Centre is working with Autism Angels to ensure that every child has the chance to enjoy a magical visit with Santa this Christmas.
The centre will be working closely with Autism Angels throughout December to offer free sessions for families with children on the Autism spectrum or with other additional support needs.
Every day in the lead up to Christmas, the charity will invite one family into the grotto and create a quiet, supportive environment that’s more accessible for children on the autism spectrum.
The Merrion Centre launched its Christmas extravaganza at the end of last month, which included the return to the main mall of the gigantic LED-lit bauble Grotto that is home to Santa. Visits to the grotto for the general public are free. However, as part of the private session with Autism Angels, the Merrion Centre will be offering queue-jumping for families with children with additional support needs who would benefit from a quieter environment for their visit.
Charlotte-Daisy Ziff, Head of CSR at Town Centre Securities, said: “We have long been a supporter of Autism Angels and the brilliant work they do in helping families, so we’re delighted to team up with them. We are always looking for ways we can support the many families that visit our centre and we are incredibly pleased to be able to offer these special sessions for children.”
The Merrion Centre is undertaking a huge calendar of activities for the festive season ensuring there is something for everyone who visits the shopping centre. As well as Santa’s Grotto it has set up a magical Winter Garden complete with a very special Santa’s post box that will be open for children to post their letters to Santa right up to Christmas Day.
To find out more about the accessible Santa’s Grotto sessions being offered by Autism Angels at the Merrion Centre, please contact Autism Angels at events@autismangels.co.uk.
Merrion Centre
The Merrion Centre is a mixed use island site in a prime location in Leeds city centre comprising of almost 1,000,000 sq. ft of covered shopping centr...