Skate on down to Santa in Croydon

Strap on your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at this free roller rink, writes Claudia Lee.

From now until Christmas Eve, visitors can revel in daily free roller-skating sessions at the Centrale and Whitgift Shopping Centre in Croydon.

Now securely into the festive season, the shopping centre in Croydon Town Centre has exploded into an array of activities for families in the lead-up to Christmas.

Beginners and skating enthusiasts are invited to skate in the new skate room – opposite House of Fraser in the Whitgift Shopping Centre – surrounded by colourful artworks by Croydon-based artists.

If younger visitors aren’t quite feeling up to taking on the rink, they can unleash their creativity on doodle walls.

Croydon Roller is free but there will be a digital payment stand at the event for visitors to make an optional donation to Reedham Children’s Trust.

The children’s charity has been providing support for vulnerable and disadvantaged children for the past 175 years with school projects and programmes.

Elsewhere in the shopping centre, visitors can step into the whimsical world of Santa’s Christmas Toy Box.

Families will be greeted by enchanting characters like the Toy Soldier, Wind-up Dolly, Jack-in-the-Box, and end by meeting Santa Claus himself.

This theatrical experience promises games, dancing and photo opportunities at a charge of £6 per child with up to two adults going free.

Each group will meet Santa and receive a photograph, and a special Christmas-themed book.

After you visit Santa’s Christmas Toy Box, there’s a chance for some festive nostalgia at the Pollocks Toy Museum pop-up.

Celebrating Croydon toy factory, Barton & Co Toys, this exhibit promises workshops and family events.

Pollock’s Toy Museum is London’s oldest historical Toy Museum. After a historic 53 years in Fitzrovia, the museum has temporarily moved to Croydon’s Whitgift Centre.

So get a look inside before it’s too late.

All of the fun is for a good cause as the Whitgift Centre has launched its Giving Tree Gift Appeal.

Up until Christmas Eve, the shopping centre is inviting visitors to become secret Santas for vulnerable children and families in Croydon.

All you need to do is select a tag, buy a gift, and place it unwrapped, in the designated donation box.

Along with Reedham Children’s Trust, this initiative aims to support those in need during the festive season.

Last year saw more than 700 presents donated to vulnerable children all across Croydon.

The shopping centre has extended its opening hours until 8pm from Monday to Saturday.

 

Picture: Boys meeting Santa at the Santa Christmas Toy Box in Croydon. Picture: Glen Foster Photography