The Santa’s grotto at the Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee has been cancelled.
The Archie Foundation, the official charity of Tayside Children’s Hospital, had been due to run the grotto from November 26.
A festive tradition in the Overgate, the grotto has been organised for several years.
But an update posted on the charity’s social media said the plans for 2022 had been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
A spokesperson for the Overgate said it means the shopping centre will be unable to provide a grotto this year.
Decision made ‘with much regret’
In a statement The Archie Foundation said: “It is with much regret and due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances that Team Archie has taken the difficult decision to cancel the planned Santa’s Grotto at the Overgate Centre this year.
“We would like to thank the Overgate team for their support and understanding and we extend our sincere apologies to Overgate shoppers and Archie supporters who had been looking forward to these festivities.”
The charity, formed in Aberdeen in 2000, supports sick children in Tayside and Grampian.
It supported the build of a new children’s twin theatre operating suite in Tayside Children’s Hospital at Ninewells.
Malcolm Angus, centre manager at the Overgate said: “Overgate is naturally disappointed that The Archie Foundation has had to take the difficult decision to cancel its planned Santa’s Grotto in the centre this year due to unavoidable circumstances with their team.
“Like everyone, Overgate had very much been looking forward to welcoming Team Archie to the centre this Christmas and supporting the charity through its grotto.
“At this late stage and short notice we will not be able to provide our customers with a Grotto experience, however, we are in talks with the North Pole to see if Santa has time in his busy schedule to meet and greet the children of Dundee.
“We are hopeful Santa will have time to pop in before Christmas and we will provide an update across our social channels in due course.”
The Courier has approached The Archie Foundation for comment.
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