A LOST CLAUS Britain hit by another devastating supply crisis – a shortage of Santas for grottoes

[Rob Thompson]

A LOST CLAUS Britain hit by another devastating supply crisis – a shortage of Santas for grottoes

Source - The Sun

By - Tracey Boles

Date -10-11-2021

HERE’S a Claus for concern — Britain has been hit by a Santa shortage.

Hundreds of Santas are needed as the festive season kicks off, but Britain is being hit by a shortage of Father Christmmas . Companies are getting so desperate that some are offering £40 per hour — nearly three times the more usual Santa rate of £15 an hour.

Jobs search site Indeed is currently advertising 357 Father Christmas or elf helper roles around the country. Many of the jobs are marked urgent.

Around the world, an estimated 3,000 Santa positions are standing empty, according to US firm HireSanta.

It has even launched a virtual service to bring Father Christmas to UK kids to meet soaring demand.

Indeed blames the lack of candidates on waning appetite for seasonal roles.

Others reckon workers want to avoid jobs where they may be more at risk of catching Covid.

Jack Kennedy, UK economist at Indeed, said: “With a glut of jobs available, people are less interested in seasonal jobs than before and on top of that very few are urgently seeking work.

"As a result, employers across the country are offering well-above minimum wage and in some cases the equivalent of hundreds of pounds per day to lure Santa and his elves.”

Mitch Allen, self-styled “Head Elf” at HireSanta, added: “We’ve seen an increase in people looking for Santas in the UK.”

[Rob Thompson]

Very true,Ive never known anything like this in the past.  Im receiving requests from shopping centres, agencies etc almost everyday asking to book me. The money some are offering is quite frankly astonishing for over here, Over £2500 for 5 days with a six week booking, not to be sniffed at !  Unfortunately I had contracts in place from last year, financially not as good as this, but to be honest, Im quite happy where I am

Having said that, I am gearing up for next year with a couple of Santa friends to develop a range of packages, lets see where it goes

[Black Hills Santa]

40 minutes ago, Rob Thompson said:

am gearing up for next year with a couple of Santa friends to develop a range of packages, lets see where it goes

That's the spirit. A bad position turning into a good one. Ingenuity, imagination, and necessity can create a lot of opportunities. Go for it! 

[Michael Rielly]

Thoughts on why there seems to be a shortage of Santas?

Do you think is is a fear of COVID?

@Felix Estridge noted that by his count we have lost at least 350 Santas this year - that we know of.

Thoughts?

[Schwindy]

1 hour ago, Michael Rielly said:

Thoughts on why there seems to be a shortage of Santas?

Do you think is is a fear of COVID?

@Felix Estridge noted that by his count we have lost at least 350 Santas this year - that we know of.

Thoughts?

Well I would have to reply with a HUGE YES. But not by me, but from my family in FEAR OF! 
It’s my reason for not going out 2 yrs in a row now!

[Rob Thompson]

23 hours ago, Michael Rielly said:

Thoughts on why there seems to be a shortage of Santas?

Do you think is is a fear of COVID?

@Felix Estridge noted that by his count we have lost at least 350 Santas this year - that we know of.

Thoughts?

I think its  a major factor on two levels, in the first, Santas worried about contracting covid, and secondly I know lot of business have delayed decisions about putting on Christmas events for fear of Covid restrictions being re introduced. Ive turned down a lot of big bookings as the companies who have recently decided to host an event have left it too late as most if not all Santas that are working have been booked for several months now