Members of The Ministry of Fun’s Santa School, dressed as Father Christmas, work out to get ‘chimney-ready’ as they attend a special Santa Boot Camp at the new David Lloyd Club in Newbury, England.
The Ministry of Fun has been entertaining the world since 1997 in theatres, arenas, big tops and holiday attractions, but they are also the UK’s number one provider of Father Christmases.
All prospective candidates are checked before they are allowed to graduate from the Ministry’s Santa school at the end of a day’s training.
In the past 18 years, more than 800 men – no women – have graduated from the course and gone on to work in Britain’s most famous grottoes.
Santa can charge about €215 for a seven-hour day – though this depends on the length of the booking or the size of the shop, and several thousands of euros if they appear in an ad.