AUTISM-friendly sessions have been launched at intu Trafford Centre’s grotto to provide a relaxed environment to visit Father Christmas.

The Polar Expedition experience will cater for a much smaller group of visitors in an early morning session, meaning no stressful queuing is involved.

The approach to the grotto via Barton Square will be calm and quiet – with music and fountains turned off – while designated autism-friendly elves are on hand to support families through the visit and direct children to a quiet space should they need it.

The volume of music in the grotto will be reduced and children can choose whether they want a photo taken with Father Christmas or an elf.

The team from intu Trafford Centre worked closely with special educational needs coordinators from Salford City Council-Starting Life Well Team and St Hugh of Lincoln Primary in Stretford to create an autism-friendly social story for parents and carers to download from the website and plan their visit: https://intu.co.uk/traffordcentre/events/christmas-grotto

Autism-friendly grotto sessions are the latest launch by intu Trafford Centre to be accessible for every shopper. 2016 saw the centre named the UK’s first ever autism-friendly shopping centre awarded by the National Autistic Society after a number of initiatives including a downloadable autism-friendly shopping guide.

Alison Niven, regional centre director at intu Trafford Centre, said: “We’re aware that for thousands of children diagnosed with autism, a visit to Father Christmas can be a daunting mix of loud noises and crowds. As the first autism-friendly shopping centre in the UK, it was vital we addressed this and ensured that a trip to a grotto can be as magical and exciting as possible for every single child.

“Some simple and small adjustments can be easily made to create an autism-friendly alternative and allow autistic children to participate in Christmas cheer just like everybody else.”

The Polar Expedition is a first-of-its-kind experience – using augmented-reality technology to excite little ones with interactive seals, polar bears, whales and penguins. The animals jump around the room and pose for petting on the glaciers, before cheekily splashing visitors by jumping into the ocean.

Festive visitors are invited to begin their enchanting journey in a warming, cosy wooden chalet with Norbert, the latest – and - littlest addition to the reindeer herd.

En route to seek out Santa, children are escorted by friendly Eskimo elves including Twinkle-toes, Brandy Snap and Billy Tinkle, into an icy world so frosty it glitters. Along the way, they can point out wintery woodland creatures including snow rabbits, huskies and more.

Families can book any sessions that are available from the grotto’s online booking system, however the sessions specifically designed to support those with autism spectrum conditions include:

Between 10am and 11am on November 19 and 20 and November 26 and 27

To avoid disappointment, families are urged to contact the bookings centre on tickets@eskimojoevents.co.uk as soon as possible with details of number of children and adults visiting and any special requirements for the best possible experience.