Santa gives exclusive to Down News in Denvir’s Hotel after meeting business people
Christmas would not be Christmas without a visit from Santa Claus.
For generations this old, portly, white-bearded gentleman has shown tremendous leadership qualities in managing a team of dedicated elves to manufacture a wealth of toys for many girls and boys under extreme production pressure writes Jim Masson.
Showing that incredible entrepreneurial flair that Invest NI, Inter Trade Ireland, the FSB and the IoD and all the Local Enterprise Agencies would be proud of as a stalwart in their business community, bouncing over inflations and recessions in his sleigh pulled by no other that Rudolf and associates, Santa has an eye for business and does not miss a business trick!
Not only is he an expert in manufacturing children’s toys and novelties in his factories, he also has subsidiaries that specialise in children’s clothing, computer software and confectionery production lines and much more geared to raise a multitude of smiles around the world.
And after all, Santa is a trans-national operator, unrestricted by Windsor Frameworks and other mundane, international customs and protocols.
And he runs an efficient sales and marketing department second to none and delivers with scientific punctuality each year on the hour at Christmas.
I caught Santa on his whirlwind winter tour getting the children into the frame before the Big Day at Christmas. He was in Denvir’s Hotel in Downpatrick and stopped for a few minutes in his busy schedule before heading back to Lapland to guide his elves to get ready for the final deliveries on Christmas morning.
“So children, get the glasses of milk and mince pies looked out for me when I come round on Christmas morning.,” Santa beamed. “I know you’ll all be sleeping and I won’t waken you, so I’ll just leave you pressies beside the fireplace or where I normally leave them.
“I was speaking to Rudolf a while ago and he said he was getting on a bit and that we needed a couple of new, younger sprightly reindeer to pull the sleigh behind Rudolf.
‘So I’ve done a couple of deals with the right people and I have a few junior trainees lined up… of course they are on the Minimum Wage but they’ll soon learn the ropes with Rudolf at the fore.”
Santa said that his elves had a very busy year preparing for Christmas and the shops are well stocked with goodies.
“But I must say,” added Santa: “I was very sad to hear of the floods in Downpatrick, Newry, Newcastle, Kilkeel and Rostrevor. We live in a world where the forces of Nature can be overpowering at times. I really hope the business folk pull together and get back on their feet again and get all the help they deserve.
“So all we can do it stay positive and focussed and keep going… just like I’ve done from hundreds of years. It can be difficult, but it pays off in the end.
“This week I will be visiting a school in Downpatrick and will entertain around 400 children.
“They get so excited when I make an appearance anywhere. They just dream and wish for those few days over Christmas and amidst it all, many will have to temper their wishes with reality.
“That reminds me, I must get Mrs Claus to come along too – she’s just like a Mother Hen – she always keeps their hopes high!
“I’ve just one final weekend to do in Denvir’s Hotel and then Lapland here I come!
“So I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will have better days ahead in 2024. All the people of County Down will be in my thoughts as I speed back home to Lapland.”
And in an instant, with a sprinkle of magic dust and rushing off to his next business appointment, Santa was gone! Interview terminated!
I still had questions to ask him:
* would he be interested in taking on the role of a Downpatrick Town Manager if it were advertised ?
* and do his elves ever threaten to go on strike for better wages and conditions ?
* and are his elves members of a trade union ?
* But the big question I wanted to ask him was, would he be visiting Stormont this Christmas with a bagful of presents for the MLAs ?
Now we’ll never know now!
