The decorations are up, the fairy lights are twinkling and the countdown has started for Santa’s arrival in EK, East Kilbride on Saturday December 3.
It comes as traders within the centre are being told it's "business as usual" despite owners Sapphire become insolvent with joint administrators appointed just weeks before the festivities.
But operators are promising that children across EK and beyond are in for a real treat this Christmas, with dancing snowmen, Christmas trees, candy canes, illuminated reindeer, festive music and even polar bears adding the ‘wow’ factor to Santa’s sparkling new forest grotto in Centre West.
Although there won’t be a parade in the centre this year, Santa and his elves will be welcoming all the good boys and girls of EK and beyond to his grotto every weekend in December and in the run up to the big day from December 22 to 24.
There will be no charge for a Santa selfie but visitors are encouraged to make a donation to EK charity Kilbryde Hospice at the grotto.
Young visitors can stop by for a chat with Santa and drop off their Christmas letters from 10am each weekend.
Any budding Santa helpers out there can also look forward to a cracking festive competition to give the jolly man in red a helping hand in the run up to the big day.
EK, East Kilbride will also be teaming up with The Entertainer toy shop to give two lucky youngsters the chance to win an exclusive after-hours session to test this year’s top toys.
Keep an eye on EK’S Facebook page for more details of this and another very special competition to win a VIP meet with Santa when he arrives in EK.
A spokesman for EK, East Kilbride, told us : “It’s going to be a cracking Christmas and we can’t wait to welcome Santa to his sparkling new grotto.
"There is always a real buzz around the centre as the countdown continues towards Christmas and this year will be no exception.
"Our combination of shops, restaurants and leisure activities including Aerial Adventures, the ice rink and ODEON Luxe cinema, mean EK is the perfect place to spend some time over the festive period.”
In addition to the Kilbryde Hospice donations at the grotto, EK, East Kilbride will also be working closely with EK charity Share Alike and a number of other EK organisations to support the Christmas Kindness campaign.
The campaign will ensure the most vulnerable members of the community receive a gift this Christmas.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did yo u know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.
