A garden centre near Bristol is already recruiting for 'performers' to work as elves or Santa over the Christmas season. It's supposedly still the height of summer but Dobbies is already counting down to December, and has launched its search for staff to fill its seasonal roles.
The Thornbury branch in South Gloucestershire is among those on the look-out for people with a 'passion' for festive fun, who will be helping to host events such as 'Santa’s breakfasts' in store. Successful applicants will receive training ready for a mid-November start date, the chain said.
Sarah Murray, who leads Dobbies’ festive line-up, said: “My main aim is that our customers have the most cheerful Christmas possible and we’re looking for helpers to assist us in delivering the ultimate festive fun in our Thornbury store. Santa’s boots are hard to fill, and we’re looking for people who have a passion for Christmas and are great with children.
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"They’ll need to help us bring some magic from the North Pole to our Thornbury store, so we’re looking for charismatic individuals worthy of Santa’s hat.” Dobbies said there will be a 'variety of vacancies available in Thornbury', although the adverts were not live at the time of writing.
The site's job vacancy listings for other stores does provide more details about the job description, however. The criteria for Santa 'performers' states: "As Santa, and alongside your team of elves, you will be responsible for creating memorable visits by talking to children within one of our magical grottos. In addition Santa will meet with family groups at our breakfast and team events in our restaurants.
"From the moment you step into the suit you will become Santa himself. From regaling stories from the North Pole and asking children about their Christmas list, you'll have the confidence to spread happiness and fulfil the imagination of children of all ages.
"You must be confident, kind and have a jolly nature, along with the ability to say 'Ho, Ho, Ho' with plenty of enthusiasm. You must be able to engage with and build rapport with people of all ages."
The adverts for 'performers' embodying the role of elves outlines a near-identical criteria, also seeking people with a "confident, kind and jolly nature". The wages are not specified in the job description, but it does note that hours will be flexible from eight-30 hours per week.
