02 March 2024 , 22:38
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The man behind the Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow which has received severe criticism online says he is "truly sorry" as he revealed his destination wedding is off.
Parents were left fuming this week when what was advertised as an immersive experience of Roald Dahl’s beloved book turned out to be a dreary warehouse, budget props and sad looking Oompa Loompas. For £25 children were given singular jelly beans and a quarter cup of lemonade as footage of the event went viral worldwide.
In an updated release, organiser Billy Coull from House of Illuminati revealed he was taking full responsibility and had moved out of his family home and cancelled an upcoming destination wedding, the Sunday Times reported.
He said: I am truly sorry, it is important for me to add the organisation and decisions surrounding this event were solely my responsibility. I want to make clear anyone who was hired externally or offered their help are not affiliated with me or the company.
Jenny Fogarty, one of the participants, took a selfie in her 'costume' (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)
Billy Coull has apologised for the terrible time parents and kids had at his Willys Chocolate Experience' (FACEBOOK)"Regarding a personal matter, there will be no wedding, and no wedding was funded by ticket sales", he told The Sunday Times. The Mirror earlier calculated the company would have made £29,750 on the would-be experience if the alarm had not been raised. The original statement read: "I am reaching out to address the recent cancellation of the 'Willys Chocolate Experience' event.
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"Firstly, I want to extend my sincerest apologies to each and every one of you who was looking forward to this event. I understand the disappointment and frustration this has caused, and for that, I am truly sorry. It’s important for me to clarify that the organisation and decisions surrounding this event were solely my responsibility.
The event was considered by parents to be wholly unconvincing (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)
A young child can be seen being somewhat underwhelmed by the experience (TMX / SWNS)"I want to make it clear that anyone who was hired externally or offered their help, are not affiliated with me or the company, any use of faces can cause serious harm to those who did not have any involvement in the making of this event. All 850 Transactions will continue to be refunded has been posted to ensure transparency and to demonstrate my commitment to making this right for everyone affected. I ask for a bit of time to process everything that has happened. My intention is to learn from this experience. Your support and understanding during this time mean the world to me."
Several clips have been doing the rounds on social media showing exactly how bad the event was. In one, a mum pans the camera around to show a handful of props, including a bar of Wonka chocolate, a blue pipe, candy sticks and a solitary Oompa Loompa behind a pop-up table. Her son, other kids and their parents can be seen looking around bemused as they realise they just splashed out £35 for the privilege.
The mum can be heard saying: "I'm not joking, paid £40 a ticket for this." She points the camera to the walls, where large sheets covered with Wonka-like settings are hanging. She explains that the organisers set them up for families to take photos in front of them. "What a waste of money," she added.
Paul Connell, who played the part of 'Wonka', branded the £35-a-head showcase an "absolute mess" after police were forced to break up angry crowds of visitors. Paul said 'red flags' began to emerge about the "immersive experience" when he found out he had been cast as Wonka – and not an Oompa Loompa.