Santa's grotto could be removed from the high street this Christmas

Children's favourite Santa’s grotto may be absent from high streets this Christmas following the warning that new coronavirus restrictions will likely last into next year.

The Prime Minister told the Commons to “assume that the restrictions I have announced will remain in place for perhaps six months”, as the country heads into the winter months off the back of a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.

Robin Black, owner of Santa Services and originally from Garstang, said that he believes the risk is 'too high' for him to safely run grottos this year.

"Personally I will not be doing any grottos this year - with the way things are going, this type of event may well be banned. Some of the companies I know are setting up for video calling through zoom," he said.

"For the past three years for some of my charity work, I have visited cancer wards for children in different parts of the UK but that is not now possible either."

In Preston, families can usually pay a visit Santa's grottos at the Preston market, Barton Grange garden centre, St George's shopping centre and the Brockholes Nature reserve.

When The Post contacted Barton Grange, on Garstang road, they confirmed that they were 'undecided' as to whether visits to Father Christmas would go ahead because of social distancing measures in place.

And St Catherine's hospice have also made the decision to cancel their yearly Christmas festival which includes a meet and greet with Santa and a grotto. Instead, they are looking into hosting Christmas events virtually this year including the Santa Dash and Light Up A Life.

James Lovell, director of the Ministry of Fun Santa School, which supplies Father Christmas performers, he was “optimistic” about the future of grottoes – but said it was likely many meetings would be conducted over the internet.

He said: “Unfortunately we have to face the very real possibility that Father Christmas will be doing lots of meetings and greetings over the internet this year.

“We’re not getting too panicky and thinking that Christmas is ruined, we are just having to think about how Father Christmas can meet with people this year – it may have to be on smart phones and iPads and tablets instead of face-to-face. We’ve done it before, with children who are abroad or in hospital.

“It does suggest the hesitation we’ve experienced will continue and that doesn’t look great for grottoes.”

Sunny Sandwell, Director of Fun at The Fun Experts, based in Preston, said: "We are receiving enquiries from high street retailers and town centres and believe me, if they can go ahead they most certainly will, obviously adhering to any restrictions and social distancing measures in place.

"The great news is that the fun doesn't and shouldn't stop as we are providing Covid Secure events. People are so resilient. We've also noticed a real upturn in enquiries for pop-up Santa Grottos at home this year as a surprise for the family.

"In addition to this, through our sister site Fun Depot we are supplying alternative solutions with Christmas Fun Boxes to send festive gifts of fun in the post for adults and children."