Q20's Signing Santa at MetroCentre is featured in the Daily Mail Online and the Mirror

This year intu MetroCentre asked Q20 to supply a Signing Santa and Signing Miss Santa for two special Sundays - where children with hearing difficulties would be able to tell Santa what was on their Christmas wish list ... in sign language!

The first date (22nd Nov) was really successful and we are certain the second Sunday (27th Nov) will go just as well - however, we didn't expect the great reaction that has been occurring online!

The original video, uploaded onto intu MetroCentre's Facebook page by mum, Hayley Cairns, has already has over 100,000 views, and now the story has made it into two national newspapers' online content - including this article by the Daily Mail and this one by the Mirror. The article has also been featured on Chronicle Live.

It's very gratifying to see that your work has been appreciated by such a large number of people - we're very proud of our two performers and we look forward to many more Signing Santa events in the future!

Christmas is underway!

The lights have been switched on, the decorations have gone up - that's right, we're in the countdown to Christmas! And already it's been an amazing few weeks.

Our Toy Soldiers have been up and down the country, providing fun performances and supplying customer service assistance - everything from providing useful information for those visiting shopping centres, to carrying heavy shopping for weighed-down customers. Keep an eye out at intu Victoria Centre, Nottingham this weekend for the Soldiers, and also Gateshead MetroCentre this Saturday as part of Black Friday.

You'll also see the Toy Soldiers aboard the East Lancashire Railway Santa trains, starting this week. Along with our helpful Elves, they'll be providing lots of fun and magic for the visitors this winter - with a special appearance by Santa!

Speaking of Santa, one of our favourite events this season has been the special Signing Santa appearances at intu MetroCentre. The two special Sundays (22nd and 29th Nov) bring Santa to meet children with hearing difficulties, so they can tell him what they'd like for Christmas ... in sign language! The event has proved hugely popular and we hope our Signing Santa will make many more appearances next year!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter for updates on all the magical things we've been up to this Christmas!

Santa's Festive Grotto

There’s a fantastic Santa Extravaganza coming to Shipley this December!

It’s the festive season again and Santa is making a special stop by Shipley! From Saturday, 6^th December you’ll find him in his grotto 8-10 Westgate, the Shipley Indoor Market – where an elf helper will be assisting Santa to hand out chocolate treats and with the option of taking a photo so you and your child will have a memento of the special day!

Come along to the magical setting of the grotto, and meet all of Santa’s helpers – red-nosed Rudolph, the enchanting Toy Soldier and even a penguin have come along from the North Pole too! There’s even a magic post box – so you can post your letters straight to Santa’s workshop where all the elves are busy putting together the presents.

The Christmas fun will be running throughout December so be sure to come along to take part in the fantastic festive activities, meet Santa and have a wonderful time! See below for all the times and dates – can’t wait to see you there!

SANTA WILL BE IN HIS GROTTO:

6^th December (opening weekend – parade & pantomime)

12^th, 13^th, 19^th, 20^th, 22^nd December (parade & grotto in indoor market)

Times: 10.30am – 3pm

Entry to grotto (with each child receiving a gift): £4

Entry to grotto (with each child receiving a gift and having a photo taken with Santa): £8