Santa

British Garden Centres; Mid Sussex; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free car parking

Job summary

British Garden Centres in Crawley is seeking a warm, jolly Santa Claus for the Christmas season. You will greet families, listen to wishes, pose for photos and join breakfast with Santa, keeping a magical, engaging presence throughout each visit.

Experience in drama or acting is helpful, with strong customer service and clear communication. Part-time hours are fully flexible, including weekends; benefits include free car parking. Rate negotiable depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Warm, jolly personality.
• Excellent communication skills for interactions with families.
• Outstanding customer service and a friendly, magical presence.
• Stage presence and showmanship during greetings and photos.
• Attention to detail in managing photo opportunities and guest experience.
• Drama or acting experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Greet families and listen to children’s wishes.
• Pose for photos with Santa and greet adults.
• Participate in breakfast with Santa and maintain Santa persona throughout visits.
• Hand out seasonal presents and work with helper elves.
• Maintain an open and friendly posture for family photo opportunities.

Skills

Warm personality

Excellent communication

Customer service

Stage presence

Attention to detail

Dramatic/acting experience

Cheerful demeanor

Tools

None

Job description

Location: Crawley

Hours: Temporary

Hours: Part Time-Hours Per Week -Fully flexible Including Weekends

About Us

British Garden Centres is the UK’s largest family owned garden centre group, with 80 centres nationwide. Founded by the Stubbs family, the business has grown rapidly through significant expansion and acquisitions, evolving from its first site at Woodthorpe Garden Centre into a national brand.

This is an exciting time of year we provide a legendary Christmas experience where we run a wonderful meet with Santa, which will be as magical as ever this year.

We are looking for a warm, Jolly, and charismatic individual to embody the spirit of Santa Claus. You will support the magical experience for children and families being the guest of honour during our breakfast & tea with Santa.

Your role will involve Greeting families, listening to children’s wishes, posing for photos, eating provided breakfast with the families and maintaining the iconic Santa image throughout all interaction.

Having experience in drama or playing Santa is desirable.

Santa Requirements:

• A warm enthusiastic personality
• The ability to laugh in a jolly way -HO HO HO
• Exceptional communication skills
• Outstanding customer service
• Have stage presence and showmanship.
• Attention to detail.
• Greet children and adults courteously, creating a magical and memorable visit.
• Listen patiently to Christmas wishes, ask what they want, and maintain an authentic, warm persona
• Hand out seasonal presents and work alongside helper elves.
• Maintain an open and friendly posture for family photo opportunities.
• Naturally cheerful, kind, gentle, and enthusiastic about the Christmas spirit.
• Ability to sit for long periods, interact dynamically, and remain upbeat during peak holiday hours.
• Formal acting or customer care experience is helpful.

Bonus points if you look like the man himself!

What we Offer:

• Benefits include free car parking.

Rate of pay negotiable depending on experience.

Applications close Wednesday 7th October 2026