A tattoo artist will be transforming his studio into a magical Christmas grotto for local families. O'Neill's Tattoo Studio will be given a festive makeover with a tree, decorations, presents and projectors beaming snowflakes onto the walls.
Santa Claus will be putting in an appearance at the one-day only event on Monday December 19 at the studio at Tudor Court in Bulwell. The shop will be closed for the whole day so it can be decked out in style. But outside is already a winter wonderland, with a giant inflatable Santa and Snowman, garlands and colourful lights.
Owner Stephen O'Neill, 43, has paid for everything out of his own money and isn't making any profit out of the event. He said: "I have wanted to do a Santa's grotto for years but with Covid and the rising cost of living it's been difficult. But this is the year to do it."
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Fifty tickets, costing £4, will be available for children to receive a goodie box with sweets and small toys from Santa or they can have a photo for free. Free treats of muffins, Eccles cakes and flapjacks will be handed out to parents in the courtyard from 4pm to 6pm.
An hour before arriving at the grotto, Father Christmas will be on walkabout around the market in Bulwell and posing for photos "just to spread a bit of cheer".
Tickets are available from the tattoo studio. "I'm a bit nervous. We've not done it before. Even the wind blowing in the right direction for the snow machine, it's all important," added Stephen.
"We're just trying to help people out. It's a not-for-profit event. I have been wanting to do it for a long time. It's taken a long time to get all the bits together. We're doing it for the kids and to help out in the area. It's a way of showing our appreciation for the business that Bulwell has given us for the last six-and-a-half years.
"Next year we want to go bigger if this is a success. We want to make it a real big thing."
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