Fife grandparents have hit out at the price of seeing Santa in a Dunfermline shopping centre.
Karen and Dave Syme wanted to take their two grandchildren to the Santa’s grotto in the Kingsgate.
Operated by Fife company Santa’s Web, it promises a personal elf and “a guided tour to the North Pole”.
And organisers insist: “It’s definitely not just a shopping centre Santa.”
But the Symes, who live in the city, were outraged to discover it would cost almost £50 for a visit for two adults and two children.
The Dunfermline Santa’s grotto price breaks down as:
- £12.95 per child or £5 for an infant up to a year old
- £1 per accompanying adult
- £9.99 for a Christmas reindeer toy or book (optional)
This means the total for the Symes and their two grandchildren, with a toy each, would have been £47.88.
‘The price is scandalous’
Karen said: “It’s absolutely shocking.
“It’s a rip off and I feel sorry for kids that can’t go because we’re in a cost of living crisis.”
Dave added: “The price is scandalous. We’ll take our grandchildren somewhere else.
“There’s a place along the road that’s a fiver and some others do it free.
“I don’t know how they can justify almost £50.
“We posted our thoughts on Facebook and it’s just gone mental. Everyone is shocked.”
A number of other people were also angry at the price, with one woman commenting: “That’s disgusting when we can’t afford to heat our homes.
“I would advise to stay clear.”
However, others were more supportive with some saying it was the best Santa’s grotto they had ever seen.
One fan added: “It looks absolutely fantastic. I think I’m more excited than the kids.”
Dunfermline Santa’s grotto: What do you get for your money?
Abi Franklin is manager of Santa’s Web and is one of the Dunfermline grotto’s elves.
She says the negative comments are unfortunate.
And she added: “What we offer here isn’t your regular, run of the mill, pick you up at the door and straight out again experience.
“You get your own elf and a one-on-one personalised experience.”
Abi says the walk-though takes around five minutes before children even get to meet Santa.
And among the highlights are an enchanted forest, a North Pole post office where children get a gold chocolate coin and a look at a “toy machine”.
There is also a candy cane tree, a Frozen castle and a tunnel of light with music.
And after meeting Santa in his log cabin, youngsters get to sit in his sleigh and hold the reindeers’ reins.
Santa’s Web has taken over an entire shop unit on the Kingsgate’s upper floor.
And it includes a Christmas market selling sweets and gifts.
Abi added: “It’s definitely not just a shopping centre Santa.
“It’s a Christmas experience.”
Conversation