Adelaide’s iconic giant Santa Claus has found a new home, relocating from Rundle Mall to the Central Market just in time for the holiday season. In unrelated news, patrons of a well-loved Grote Street hotel can now enjoying a vague, nagging feeling that they’re being watched.

A fixture of our main shopping strip since the 60s, the former John Martin’s and then David Jones display has for years been alerting shoppers to start stocking up on tinsel or flee to the suburbs ‘til it all just blows over. After a year’s absence following renovations to the David Jones building in 2015 the enormous, looming figure of jolly old Saint Nick has returned in a newly central location after being handed over to Adelaide City Council.

Kris Kringle stands watch over Adelaide, never faltering, never resting, never stopping

Built from wood and fibreglass, the ruddy cheeked, two tonne spreader of Christmas joy was meticulously erected on the 115 year old, vaguely chimney-like brick tower on Sunday in a joint effort by Council and the Central Market Authority.

Father Christmas’ new throne also promises guests at pub, hotel and live music breeding ground The Hotel Metropolitan killer views of the Market’s latest attraction. And, um, vice versa.

Ho. Ho. Ho.

The unblinking gaze of everybody’s favourite merry yuletide mascot can now be felt by patrons enjoying a pint in the front bar, catching some rays out front or tucking in for a good night’s sleep at one of the hotel’s upstairs rooms.

The Metro’s management are actually pretty amused by it. “Yeah, it might be a little creepy having him looking through the room windows but I think we all know who is Santa’s favourite pub now,” publican and co-owner Damian Peterson jokes. “I think he’s actually got his hand up saying ‘could I have five Pale Ales please?’”

One thing’s for sure, Santa will definitely know when you’re sleeping.

Sweet dreams.

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