A COUPLE are putting on a free Santa’s grotto for struggling families this Christmas – undoubtedly making it the cheapest in Britain.
Raj Narang, 36, and her husband Danny, 32, are offering entry on the house to everyone who visits, as well as complimentary gifts, food and drinks.
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All children will receive a present from Father Christmas at the pair’s festive event on December 21.
And hot chocolate, mulled wine, mince pies and hot dogs will be handed out free of charge at Premier Arlington Convenience Store in Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Raj, who has run the corner shop with her partner for two years, told ChronicleLive: “We are aware that with the rising cost of living and being in an area of high unemployment and social deprivation, not everyone can afford to take their children to see Santa.
“There are people coming into the shop, topping up their gas and electric and coming back and putting money on again because it’s not lasting.
“You see them in the shop buying the bare essentials, whereas they would normally be buying a bottle of wine.
“When you see the same people day in, day out, you can’t help but start to care. It becomes more than a commercial enterprise.
“We wanted to do this as a little something for our community to give something back this year.”
Raj and Danny are funding the get-together themselves, with a little help from other local businesses.
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Wholesaler Makro has donated a trolley of sausages, buns and tubs of hot chocolate.
Raj described the reaction in the neighbourhood as “amazing”.
“There’s a great sense of community spirit and we want to nurture that,” she added.
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