Christmas in Sunderland: Binns, Joplings and Liverpool House - the places Sunderland children loved to visit Santa

There is no doubt that the Christmas season is at its most magical during childhood – or when you welcome little ones of your own into the world.
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As the city counts down to the big day – just a few weeks to go now! – some of our younger residents may be getting a bit anxious about Santa Claus receiving their letters in time. Questions may include, “How will he know what I’ve asked for?” and, “What happens to my list if the post is delayed?” Very real worries – but don’t worry, we are here to help.

A trip to see Santa in his grotto can allay all of these fears, and bring some festive magic and sparkle to proceedings too. Luckily, the man in the red suit has made plenty of time to visit Wearside in the run-up to December 25 – but as you plan your trip to his grotto, we have been going down memory lane to visit his best workshops from the past.

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Let’s settle the debate once and for all – where was Santa’s BEST grotto in Sunderland? Meet the contenders … as chosen by members of our Wearside Echoes community.

Joplings

Carole Lawrences: “Joplings was the best. I feel so sorry that kids cannot get the experience that me and brother had going to see Santa at Joplings.”

Irene Hilary Ashett: “Definitely Joplings, waiting in the queue knowing you were going on that magical ride to Santa.”

Santa's on parade! It's back to 1982 for the annual Santa Parade, held each October and pictured here making its way to Joplings. But was Joplings home to Sunderland's best grotto?Santa's on parade! It's back to 1982 for the annual Santa Parade, held each October and pictured here making its way to Joplings. But was Joplings home to Sunderland's best grotto?
Santa's on parade! It's back to 1982 for the annual Santa Parade, held each October and pictured here making its way to Joplings. But was Joplings home to Sunderland's best grotto?

Carol Thompson: “Joplings was always the best in my view, when my children were small.”

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Claire Hammond: “Joplings, felt like you were on the ride forever before getting to see Santa.”

Val Straughan: “Definitely Joplings and the sleigh ride was magical.”

Anthony Mallan: “Joplings...........end of.”

Binns was the place to be at Christmas - but was it your go-to for visiting Santa in his grotto? The carol singers give us a tune in December 1973.Binns was the place to be at Christmas - but was it your go-to for visiting Santa in his grotto? The carol singers give us a tune in December 1973.
Binns was the place to be at Christmas - but was it your go-to for visiting Santa in his grotto? The carol singers give us a tune in December 1973.

Mick Lindley: “Joplings. All day long. You had to go on a magical ride to get there.”

Karen Palmer: “I can only remember going to see Santa at Joplings and waiting in a long queue on the stairs down to the lower ground floor, after buying my sweets from the little sweet shop, with the kiddies’-sized wire shopping baskets on the ground floor.”

Liverpool House

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Patrick Robinson: “Liverpool House, going down the stairs with foil walls was special.”

The Liverpool House department store was home to many people's favourite Santa's Grotto.The Liverpool House department store was home to many people's favourite Santa's Grotto.
The Liverpool House department store was home to many people's favourite Santa's Grotto.

Mary Percy Hird: “Liverpool House was fantastic.”

Annette Roper: “Liverpool House back in the ‘70s.”

Julie Dixon: “Liverpool House, the train loved it.”

Yvonne Mooney: “Liverpool House … they also did an Easter grotto.”

Christine Docherty: “I always went to Liverpool House. Loved it.”

Lyn Sisterson: “My dad used to always take us to Liverpool House every year when we were kids. Think he enjoyed it as much as we did.”

Blacketts, pictured in May 1972. Was it one of your favourites for Christmas shopping and that all-important visit to Mr Claus?Blacketts, pictured in May 1972. Was it one of your favourites for Christmas shopping and that all-important visit to Mr Claus?
Blacketts, pictured in May 1972. Was it one of your favourites for Christmas shopping and that all-important visit to Mr Claus?
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Julie Gibson Pascoe: "I remember queuing with my mam to go in Liverpool House. You had to queue down the stairs then you got in a sleigh for a ride and when you got off you reached santa. I still remember how magical this was to me when I was around 4/5 and I'm 60 now.”

The best of the rest …

Binns, Blacketts and Clay’s Garden Centre were some of the other popular places mentioned by our Wearside Echoes members. John Cameron, Lesley Mfon and Chris Richmond all had fond memories of trips to see Santy at Binns, while Kim Huntley, George Major and Anne Urwin picked Blacketts. But which was your favourite?