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Co-op Christmas Grotto 1948

This photo was taken in the Brighton Co-operative shop in about 1948 when I visited Father Christmas’ Grotto. I was 4 years old and my cousin Ian was aged 3.

It looks as though Father Christmas is a bit grumpy. I expect he was pretty fed up and was looking forward to going home. Just look at our clothes; these were our smart winter outfits.  I still remember them; we always had a new outfit for Easter and Christmas.

Did you ever visit Father Christmas at the Co-op in London Road? Did you take your children there? Or did you go to a grotto in one of the ‘posher’ shops in Brighton?

Please share your memories with us by posting a comment below.

Father Christmas in his grotto at the Brighton Co-operative shop
From the private collection of Pat Salmon

Comments about this page

  • In the 1950s I went to the Co-op to see Father Xmas as we lived up by Preston Park, but more memories of going to Wades in Western Rd (now New Look) just at the corner of Regent Hill, not really posh! I think my more decadent grandchildren were taken to Hanningtons!

    By Geoffrey Mead (12/06/2013)
  • I remember the grotto in the Co-op in the 50s. The Co-op was a magical place for a kid at Christmas time with lots going on, as was the rest of London Road. Old father Christmas looks about three stages beyond grumpy, he looks like he is snarling and about to bite someone. Mike Peirson.

    By Mick Peirson (13/06/2013)
  • I also went to see FC in Wade’s, but it’s now C & H Fabrics, not New Look (and I remember the lift being used as FC’s rocket one year, too!). I remember taking my daughter to Hannington’s in the 1980s. C & H is still as old-fashioned as Wade’s was back in the day! I love it in there!

    By Gill Gordon (13/06/2013)
  • My Mum always took me to see Father Christmas at Plummer Rodis as we only lived in Waterloo St, a few mins walk.

    By Dennis Fielder (13/06/2013)
  • I used to work in the Co-op in London Road back in 1990, and loved my job. At Christmas time I used to work in the toy department and it was great. I also went out on the Christmas float. What great times these were and it was so sad to see what has happened to it now. Love to hear people’s stories about the store.

    By Nicky Pentecost (04/10/2013)
  • I can recommend a visit to the Brighton Toy Museum where you’ll see pristine examples of the toys you asked Santa for in the 1950s, etc.

    By Bonny Holland (21/12/2023)
  • I am pretty sure it was at The Aquarium we saw Father Christmas in 1948…

    By Margaret Holman (22/12/2023)

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