Bury St Edmunds arc shopping centre has found itself the centre of national attention after offering the chance to 'Bury Santa'
A Suffolk shopping centre has unexpectedly found itself the centre of national attention with its latest Christmas Grotto offering.
The arc shopping centre is currently launching its 'Bury Santa Experience', which runs from November 26 and December 24.
It's supported by Bury St Edmunds Town Council and Our Bury St Edmunds, which helps promote the town, and will offer visitors the chance to experience 'a snowy enchanted forest, Santa’s toy shop and Santa’s traditional grotto cabin'.
But the festive attraction, (the acronym for which is BSE, standing for Bury St Edmunds) has prompted a raft of jokes and comments on social media, with people wondering if they should even 'bring their own shovel' to actually... 'bury Santa'.
In less than 12 hours the post entitled: "I genuinely thought this was fake. But it’s not and now the kids are crying" on Angry People in Local Newspapers' Facebook page has been shared more than 200 times and attracted a similar number of comments.
Several people have also commented on The Arc shopping centre Facebook page, too.
The Bury Santa Experience has cost just under £83,000 to pull together, subsidised by the arc centre and with £25 contributed by the town council, about which some councillors objected.
Comments, have included:
Kevin Glover
"I thought they’d have learnt their lesson after the Swat the Tooth Fairy Experience had lower than expected uptake."
Deborah Anderson
"Seems a pretty brutal way to break the news he isn't real but I guess it saves a fortune at Christmas."
Damian Damon Doherty
"They're just digging a hole for themselves there."
Steven Hepworth
"Well then the kids should learn correct grammar. If it was the 'bury Santa experience' I would be worried.
"The Bury Santa experience is something else entirely. And yes I do live in Bury, Greater Manchester.
And we've had this with the RSPCA shop before now. 'RSPCA. Helping Bury animals'!"
Sam Wurzelson
"Sounds like fun, do they provide shovels?"
Nick Leack
"Darren Carnall You'd better watch out, better not cry."
Peter Doggett
"I’m more disappointed this isn’t my home town! But Bury St Edmonds (sic)."
Denise Garcia
"We thought this was funny a week ago, it is real and in bury in the old top shop building xxx."
Dee B Foz
"Phil Jolly I’ve never lived in Bury St Edmunds and even now live overseas and was completely confused.
"Took me reading all the comments to get it haha. I just read it like it was intended."
Susan Mary Smith
"Christmas is RUINED."
Commenting on The arc Facebook, include:
Paula Chadwick
Absolutely hilarious! Keep laughing to myself now!"
Mary Stella
"Do you supply shovels or do we bring our own?"
Ian Connor
"First they bury St Edmund now they want to bury Santa!"
The Bury Santa Experience, next to Hobbs on Auction Street, will also consist of three interactive rooms, which organisers say will offer a 'truly unique and magical experience', including all the 'sounds and scents you would expect to find in Lapland'.
Elves Clara and Clive, plus their new resident and forest guardian, Oakley the owl, will also be there. to welcome visitors.
Families can then enter Santa’s Grotto, and receive a gift from the elves on departure.
Tickets are now on sale and The Grotto will open on Friday November 26, and will be open on various dates until Christmas Eve.
Tickets cost £10 per child, including admission to the experience and a gift.
There is no cost for up to two adults over 18 accompanying children.
Under 1s go free.
If adults would like to visit the Bury Santa Experience without children, they will need to purchase a child's ticket and will be classed as a fully paying customer.
Discounts are available for Bury St Edmunds school bookings.
Limited spaces are available at discounted rates.
20 per cent of all ticket sales will be donated to Suffolk Mind.
The arc shopping centre declined to comment on the 'national' social media discussion.
Greg Luton, town clerk for Bury St Edmunds Town Council said ‘There have been mixed views about the Christmas arrangements in Bury St Edmunds this year.
"The decision for the Town Council to contribute was one that was discussed at a number of public council meetings, as part of an effort to help stimulate the economy of the town. The choice of wording in promotional material is not something we’ve engaged with in detail."
Our Bury St Edmunds has been approached for comment.
People can book the 'Bury Santa Experience' by clicking here
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