Northampton’s Magical Santa’s Grotto: A Community Affair

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Get ready to embrace the festive spirit, Northampton! Our beloved town is about to become a little more magical with the opening of a free Santa’s Grotto, set to distribute 2,000 gifts to our local children.

The Grotto, a delightful Christmas haven, will be located at the former Driftwood Vintage Furniture shop on Cecil Road. This heartwarming initiative is the brainchild of Phillip Lyman, the shop’s owner, who, despite the shop’s closure due to the pandemic, decided to transform the space into the Reboot Community Hub.

Since its inception, the hub has been a beacon of community spirit, hosting a variety of events and services, including mental health support. Now, it’s gearing up to spread some Christmas cheer.

Phill, a local hero, has been organising the free grotto since 2022. Last year, the grotto welcomed around 1,000 visitors, proving the community’s need and appreciation for such an event. This year, the grotto will be open for three days, offering families the chance to meet Santa without straining their budgets.

Phill, one of seven siblings, understands the cost of Christmas festivities. He said, “With Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis affecting households, last year was the year we really felt the need to air it and the response was absolutely insane.”

The grotto is a labour of love for Phill, funded partly by himself and partly through community contributions such as raffles and donations. This year, Moo Removals is also sponsoring the event.

The grotto’s success is a testament to the power of community. All the helpers at the grotto are volunteers, eager to give back to the community that has supported them.

This year, Phill expects around 2,000 visitors over the three days. To cater to this, he has prepared 2,000 environmentally-friendly, unwrapped gifts, allowing children to choose something they truly want.

The grotto will be open from 4pm to 8pm on December 10, 11, and 12. Families can enjoy the lights display, visit Santa, and partake in the mini craft fair, all completely free.

So, Northampton, let’s come together, celebrate the festive season, and support this wonderful community initiative. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!