CHRISTMAS preparations seem to get earlier every year.

For retailers, the weeks leading up to the festivities are all about promotions. Conscious of their present-buying consumers, it is for them a prime time of year but, looking back in the archives, it seems Christmas has always come early.

And what better way to entice families in to spend than to set up the best grotto experience around!

For those who remember the grandeur of Busby’s, they will also recall the store offered the best grotto experience by far.

Fondly referred to as the ‘shop’ the iconic department store dominated Manningham Lane from 1930 until 1978 the year before a disastrous fire led to the then empty building’s demise.

Apparently, preparations began mid-November ready for the surge of families queuing to put in their present requests to Father Christmas.

But Busby’s was no ordinary grotto. Many readers will have their own recollections of this extraordinary experience and, will no doubt, be able to reminisce every moment of what is, for many children, a very special and memorable occasion.

You can almost imagine their mesmerised faces as they wandered through the labyrinth of festive tableaux and Christmas trees within this beautiful Victorian building which many will recall was one of the finest grottos around.

Inhabited by Elves and Reindeer, it has been said that the grotto made the store ‘a place of wonders.’ It certainly must have been a magical place, and the perfect festive treat, for many children from Bradford and beyond.

Founded in 1908, Busby’s boasted a reputation for being ‘the store with the friendly welcome.’

Our archive photo captures the build up to the grotto opening and the excitement among the gathering crowds.

Taken in 1936, it captures Father and Mother Christmas passing through Broadway on horseback on their way from Forster Square station to the store.

Our former colleague, Mike Priestley, captured the Busby grotto experience perfectly in a ‘Past Times’ piece he wrote back in 2008.

“Nobody who queued there to see see Santa Busby-Claus will ever forget it. It was like a theatrical staging.”

Writes Mike: “All along the passage leading to it were decorated tableaux to look at and strings to pull that made things happen. And at the end of it there was Rudolph, the Elves, Mother Claus and Santa himself.”

Of course, grottos have sprung up all over since then, shopping centres, even stately homes, now boast their own grotto experiences, but many will have a long way to go to emulate the grandeur of the Busby’s Christmas experience - although it must have been a surprise, and a delight, to see Santa on horseback rather his modern mode of transport - his sleigh!

MORE NOSTALGIA STORIES