SANTA, The Grinch, and Polaris the Polar Bear will be ready to greet shoppers at Shrewsbury's Darwin shopping centre this December.

The ‘festive friends’ will be roaming around The Darwin between Saturday 2 and Saturday 23 December on the following days, appearing at intervals throughout each day.

Santa will be at the shopping centre on December 2, 6, 9, and 16, while visitors will have the chance to meet Santa and his elf for a pre-booked event on December 20.

Visitors on December 3 and 13 can meet The Grinch and those visiting on December 10 can meet Polaris the Polar Bear. 

There will also be the chance to have breakfast with Santa at Massarella's cafe from 9am to 11.30am on December 20, and The Grinch from 10.30am to noon on December 10.

For more information and for breakfast bookings, visit www.shrewsbury-shopping.co.uk/whats_on/festive-friends-return-to-the-darwin-2023/

Darwin centre manager Kevin Lockwood said: “We look forward to welcoming people of all ages to The Darwin during this year’s festive period. The centre has something for everyone this Christmas, whether you’re shopping, eating, drinking, or looking for that ideal gift.

“But don’t miss the chance to meet – and even have breakfast with – our festive friends who will be here to make your holiday season truly magical and to create some special memories."

Over the festive period The Darwin’s regular Christmas charity Polar Bear display will once again be located on the lower level next to the Amazon lockers, supporting the Santa’s Little Stars Toy Campaign. You can donate new, unwrapped toys in their packaging to help ensure that all children get to unwrap a present on Christmas Day.