26 February 2024 , 12:01
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Parents have slammed a Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience event after they turned up with their children to find a "pitful" warehouse which was practically empty.
The families said they were promised a fun day out in Glasgow, and said the venue was meant to feature an "enchanted garden containing giant sweets and mysterious sculptures". But when they arrived they said their children were given just a handful of jelly babies instead of the "paradise of sweets" that they were promised. The disappointing event sparked outrage among the parents after they complained about being charged £35 per person.
Things became so out of control that police were called to the warehouse as organisers were forced to shut down the event halway through the first day. The events company, named House of Illuminati, are now offering refunds to parents after they complained that their kids were reduced to tears due to the bland day out.
Parents took to social media to express their anger with some breathing a sigh of relief as they had not booked to go to the event despite contemplating it. Lianne Gannon wrote: "It was pitiful and just awful. So many upset kids and angry parents, many travelling from Newcastle, Aberdeen, Dundee, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Carlisle - the list goes on. Some even booked hotels to make an overnight of the day and travel home next day. The expense, time travelled and the ticket cost - it was all shocking."
A bouncy castle at the back of the warehouse (No credit)Amanda Dickson added: "I got an email from them saying a refund had been issued but can take up to 10 days to go through, I better get it or I'll need to contact my bank for a refund. It's shocking." William Campbell wrote: "Imagine it, the audacity to think this is value for your money. Organiser should be ashamed." Police Scotland confirmed officers were called to the venue and issued guidance as crowds started to gather outside, reports Glasgow Live.
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Frankie King said: "Ripping adults off is bad enough but this is emotional trauma for children and an unforgivable new low." Cuban Morrison added: "Oh dear, but for £35 a ticket I would have expected Willy Wonka to appear himself. A pure rip off." Kathleen Long wrote: "Sounds like they went ahead with it hoping people would just put up with it. They should not only return the money but also the out of pocket expenses."
The event has been branded 'pitiful' (No credit)
Police had to be called as things turned chaotic (Glasgowlive)Paula Graham, 36, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, went to the event with her husband Andrew, 39, their daughter Anna, eight, and her friend. She told The Sun they forked out £65 on tickets having got a deal for two children and two adults.
"The actual experience took two minutes to walk though because there was nothing there. When we arrived so many people had complained that they shut it down. You couldn't even call it an event - it was terrible. The guy was saying 'just have a wee walk through and you'll get a refund."
One girl dressed in an Oompa Loompa outfit was "bawling" and "everyone was kicking off", Mrs Graham added, as organisers put out a "bit of cardboard" which said the event had been cancelled. Eva Stewart, 19, of East Kilbride, told the BBC she saw children crying at the event which was scheduled to run on Saturday and Sunday.
Jenny Fogarty in her costume (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)
Ticket holders said the event took only a few minutes to walk around (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)"It was basically advertised as this big massive Willy Wonka experience with optical illusions and big chocolate fountains and sweets,' she said. "But when we got there, it was practically an abandoned, empty warehouse, with hardly anything in it."
A House of Illuminati spokesperson said: "Today (Saturday February 24) has been a very stressful and frustrating day for many and for that we are truly sorry. Unfortunately, at the last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried our best to continue on and push through and now realise we probably should have cancelled first thing this morning instead. We fully apologise for what has happened and will be giving full refunds to each and every person that purchased tickets."
"We planned a fabulous event and it just did not take shape as planned and for that we are truly sorry, we are devastated at how this has turned out and understand people's anger and frustration that everyone has had, refunds have already started being issued and the rest should be over the coming days, again we are truly sorry to everyone."