Great Yarmouth Toy Box 55 store opens Santa's Grotto

Toy Box 55 owner, Melanie Bateman has transformed her family-run business in the Market Place into Father Christmas's workshop with the help of his elves.

"Christmas is well under way here in the Toy Box," she said.

Toybox 55 in Great Yarmouth (Image: Denise Bradley) "Santa is prepared and ready in the shop to give gifts to those who have been well-behaved this year, we are looking forward to seeing people come and visit.

"Father Christmas has a team of elves with him, who like us, are really excited and cannot wait to see people come in and get in the festive spirit.

READ MORE: When will the Market Place in Great Yarmouth be finished?

"The children's excited faces and their beaming smiles are what makes running the grotto so special, the magic of Christmas is a beautiful thing for children and we want to celebrate this."

Father Christmas ready in Santa's Grotto at Toybox 55, with elves, left, Gemma Bateman, left, and Mandy Camish-Bailey, in Great Yarmouth (Image: Denise Bradley) Last year was the first time that the Toy Box 55 had run a grotto, and it was just a short while after they had taken on the premises. 

This year the grotto at the toy shop is hosting "SENsory nights" which are designed to cater better for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

READ MORE: Details on Great Yarmouth's 2025 Christmas light switch-on

"It was important for us to ensure that the grotto was suitable for SENsory nights as we want to ensure that we can include everyone in the Christmas magic," the shop owner said.

One of the Christmas trees at Santa's Grotto at Toybox 55, in Great Yarmouth (Image: Denise Bradley) "To think that we wouldn't have been able to give the experience of meeting Santa to any child would be terribly upsetting so we have made sure we can offer them the equal experience."

The grotto opens on November 22, the day of the Great Yarmouth Christmas lights switch on.

They are taking bookings in-store or via calling 07948850134.

Geoff Bateman at the entrance to the Santa's Grotto at his shop Toybox 55 in Great Yarmouth (Image: Denise Bradley)