17 & Central is helping charity partner, Walthamstow Toy Library, tick off the items on its Christmas wish list by raising funds through its magical Santa’s grotto. Top of the list is a new sensory playroom for children with special education needs and disabilities.

Santa and his elves will be arriving in style at the shopping centre on 1 December when the grotto will officially open. He will be in residence every weekend from Friday-Sunday throughout early December and then every day from 11 December until Christmas Eve.

Tickets cost just £5 per child (which includes a small gift) with the full amount being donated to 17 & Central’s charity of the year, Walthamstow Toy Library, who will also be helping to run the grotto. Tickets can be booked online or in person at the grotto. For dates, times and advance bookings, visit the 17 & Central website at www.17andcentral.co.uk.

“We look forward to the opening of our grotto every year – it feels as though Christmas is just around the corner,” says Gwendolyne Lobo, 17 & Central’s Marketing Manager. “We’re delighted to be able to support the Toy Library by donating all the proceeds from our grotto to the charity. We’re also thrilled that volunteers from the charity will be on site helping us to run the grotto and getting involved with our Christmas celebrations.

“Conscious of rising costs, we have kept the ticket price at £5 (the same as last year) to ensure as many families as possible will get to enjoy a magical Christmas experience.”

Helen Crockford, the Toy Library’s Director added: “We’re so grateful for the support of the shopping centre and its guests. Over the past six months we’ve loved coming into the centre, running themed activities and getting to know the staff and visitors. Moving forward, we’re keen to create a very special, sensory playroom at our new site and the funds from the grotto will go a long way to helping us achieve this.”

The Centre is open from 8am to 9pm Monday – Thursday, 8am to 10.30pm Friday – Saturday and 10am – 7pm on Sundays.

Its festive opening hours are as follows:
Christmas Eve – Sunday, 24th December: 10 am to 7pm
Christmas Day – Monday 25th December: Closed
Boxing Day – Tuesday 26th December: 8 am to 9 pm
New Year’s Eve – Sunday, 31st December: 10 am to 7pm
New Year’s Day – Monday, 1st January: 8 am to 9 pm