The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Andrew Gowan, has unlocked the door to Santa’s Grotto at Hillmount where Santa and his elves will reside until Christmas Eve.

With a variety of scenes to visit on the magical journey through the grotto before meeting Santa, children can take a memorable enchanted walk along the winter wonderland while being entertained by elves and Mrs Claus before being transported onto Santa’s sleigh.

Councillor Gowan said:  “This is obviously a very busy time for Santa and his team - and I am delighted to hear that they have all arrived at Hillmount safe and sound.  It’s a real festive treat to see lots of happy and excited faces as children and their families set off on that magical walk.  I hope everyone enjoys the experience and Santa gets a bit of time out to enjoy a cup of tea and a mince pie or two!”

Robin Mercer, Managing Director of Hillmount, expressed his excitement about Santa’s arrival and said: “We are so excited that Santa and his elves have arrived at their grotto at Hillmount and we are delighted that the Mayor unlocked the doors to welcome them in.

“In the last 20 years more than 60,000 children have visited Santa at our grotto in Hillmount and, as a family business, we love to see generations of families visiting Hillmount every year. These include babies from just 24 hours old to visitors who are a few years from their 100th birthday! It’s heartwarming for us to see families making memories to last a lifetime and enjoying their Santa experience with us. It’s events like this at Hillmount that contribute to the festive spirit and bring communities together at the most wonderful time of the year.

“On Christmas Eve just before Santa leaves to load up his sleigh in the North Pole, we invite the four legged members of our families to visit Santa and already Santa Paws has sold out.”

To visit Santa at Hillmount, book online at: www.hillmount.co.uk