World of no imagination – children left in tears at ‘Willy Wonka land’
IN THE beloved children’s story by Roald Dahl, the golden ticket holders who won a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory were promised – and experienced – “a world of pure imagination”.
But children hoping for a similar magical experience at a £35-a-head event in Glasgow instead found what their parents described as an “incredibly underwhelming” damp squib.
Some of the children, who had travelled from across Scotland and the north of England to Willy’s Chocolate Experience in Glasgow, ended up in tears after the all-weekend event was abruptly cancelled halfway through its first day on Saturday and police were called as anger grew.
Organisers House of Illuminati promised visitors a “journey filled with wondrous creations and enchanting surprises at every turn” and a day “where dreams come to life”.
The advertised attractions included an “enchanted garden” with giant sweets, a ‘twilight tunnel’ and an “imagination lab” to transport the viewer into “the realm of creativity”.
But parents expecting the experience to recreate the magic of Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were hugely disappointed.
Visitors said the event took place in a venue that was little more than “an abandoned empty warehouse” sparsely decorated with plastic props, a small bouncy castle and backdrops pinned to the walls.
Police Scotland confirmed officers were called to the Box Hub Warehouse in Whiteinch and said “advice was given” following complaints from unhappy visitors.
House of Illuminati published an apology on its Facebook page and promised refunds over the coming days.
Visitor Shirley Bell wrote: “We had tickets for 1.15pm and didn’t even get in.
“Kids all dressed up and crying waiting for what they thought was going to be a magical experience.
“The organisers should be ashamed of themselves.”
Stuart Sinclair, 29, from Douglas, South Lanarkshire, took his two sons and four-year-old daughter and told the Courier newspaper: “There was a guy wandering around apparently dressed as Willy Wonka but he didn’t seem interested.
“In the next room, they had test tubes with jelly babies. I said to the kids at least they would get a bag of sweets but they gave them one single sweet each.”
Another parent posted on Facebook: “What an absolute farce, two upset kids. Cowboys.”
The Box Hub venue said it had only hired out the space and was not responsible for the exhibition that “sounded great on paper” but “looked incredibly underwhelming.”
A spokesman for House of Illuminati said: “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.”
Glasgow city council said its trading standards department had received one complaint and people should contact the organiser to get a refund.
‘Kids all dressed up and crying ... The organisers should be ashamed of themselves’