To be replaced with Saint Arafat perhaps? Passing out toy bomb belts to all good little boys and girls.
but on the upside kids might get to see a "pop star" or tv celeb - yea!
Must have watched the movie, "Bad Santa."
I'll be out of step with most here but I never believed in lying to my daughter and I did believe in promoting Jesus as the only reason for Christmas. I told her from the start that Santa was a make-believe character like Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse. She used to "visit" Santa like other kids and had fun with the stories about Santa. She's 26 now and says she never felt she missed out on anything in childhood or at Christmas because she was told the truth from the start about Santa. Lying to children, IMO, is something parents should never do.
Remember - Be carefull Ralphie - or you will shoot your eye out. That is the true meaning of a retail Christmas.
FWTW it should be pointed out that Santa Claus is not a British tradition anyway. And the photograph of the tall chap, in hooded robe, is not Santa but Father Christmas.
Seriesly, though, where is the Christmas spirit in London? If you don't give drunks jobs as Santa in the stores, what are they going to do? Steal for their booze?