Claus for concern as shopping mall cancels Santa Australia -

Traders in the Albury Centro shopping centre in New South Wales have started a petition urging centre management not to cancel Santa this year.

Centro management told retailers on Tuesday that Santa would not be making an appearance in the busy shopping centre this Christmas.

John McMillan, who runs a store in the mall, has started a bring-back-Santa petition.

He says traders have been told the centre cannot afford Santa this year.

"We had a meeting with management, the traders that is on Tuesday and they just matter-of-factly announced it," he said.

"We were just dumbfounded. It's Christmas without Santa in a shopping centre."

He says a number of reasons were given for cancelling Santa.

"One was budgetary, the other was they were lacking room in the centre, which I find amazing," he said.

"Apparently Santas are difficult to get because of all the issues that go with working with children."