ANTLERS are all the rage at Crompton Place shopping centre, as staff are getting in the Christmas spirit ahead of a weekend of special appearances by Santa and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
Everyone from the security guards to the cleaning staff will be sporting reindeer antlers throughout the mall’s Big Reindeer Weekend, on December 5 and 6.
Festive family activities on will include storytelling sessions, a glitter tattoo parlour and reindeer face painting, as well as music and disco sessions. There will also be prizes for the best dressed retailer throughout the weekend.
All children who attend reindeer training and storytelling, taking place on the hour with Rudolph throughout Saturday December 5, will receive an official ‘I Passed reindeer School’ certificate.
Children will get the chance to make their own reindeer antlers at Cupid’s crafty workshop on Saturday, when there will also be a Rockin’ Reindeer photobooth complete with a big box of props for families to create a festive photo.
Father Christmas himself will be in attendance on Sunday December 6 to lead the story sessions, as well as posing for ‘Santa Selfies’ and giving children their own magic reindeer food for sprinkling on the lawn this Christmas Eve.
On Sunday there will also be a big Cupid crafty workshop where children can create their own Christmas reindeer mug, and get a free hot chocolate recipe and marshmallows to take home.
Sunday will also see children offered free reindeer face painting and a glitter tattoo parlour where they can turn into their favourite reindeer.
Children will get a chance to make their own masks and antlers at Cupid’s Crafty Workshop, and learn the tricks to becoming a real reindeer at reindeer school.
Crompton Place will also host a Rockin’ Reindeer photobooth youngsters can don the necessary props and be transformed into Donner, Blitzen or even Rudolph for their photo opportunity.
Meanwhile the behind the scenes team at Crompton Place will be sporting their own festive headgear.
Facilities manager for the centre Adam Sangster is in charge of the 21-strong team running everything from car parking to cleaning at the mall.
He said: “There are good team and they’re all up for getting stuck in – it is Christmas after all and you can’t ignore that, especially in a shopping centre.
“It’s getting busier all the time now in the run up to Christmas and seeing the whole team get behind something like this is all part of the customer experience really.”
Adam has been at Crompton Place for 11 years and says that customers will be welcomed to the mall by his team of reindeer at every turn over the course of the weekend.
“The guys in the car park will be joining in so that’s the first people many shoppers will see,” he said.
“After that every cleaner or security person will have their antlers on too so everyone they see throughout the building will be getting into the Christmassy mood.”
Lisa Tong has been cleaning at Crompton Place for four years and is only too happy to join in the festive fun.
The 41-year-old mum of three from Bolton said: “I’m a Christmas person anyway, I love it, so I’m quite happy to join in. It’s only once a year after all.
“I think it’s nice for the customers to see that we’re all getting in to the Christmas spirit.”
Shopping Centre manager Paula Wood said: “Christmas is such a busy time for everyone here – the retailers, the shoppers and the staff, but there’s always time to make sure everyone is getting in to the Christmas spirit too.
“As well as offering a range of exciting reindeer activities over the weekend it’s great that our whole team will be joining in with the festive fun.”
ENDS
