Daily Mirror

Festive weekend ‘like car boot sale’

- BY BARNABY KELLAWAY

Parents called ice fun mucky SHOPPERS promised a festive treat at a £5-a-head “Winter Weekend” got a mucky plastic ice rink, a collapsing snow globe and acne cream for sale.

Families complained of twohour queues for Santa, which cost extra, and “car boot” tables selling car licence plates.

The Bolton Arena event cost adults £5 for the weekend or £3 a day, plus more for attraction­s. Ian Jagger, of Blackburn, went on Sunday with partner Natalie and daughter Annie, four.

He said: “It is like a car boot sale. The queues are too long and there is nothing for the kids. This is just a lit hall with people selling stuff on tables.”

One disappoint­ed mum said she spent £60 on family tickets.

Other parents said the “ice rink” was white plastic tiles sprayed with soapy water. The snow globe, for which there was an hour queue, ‘“deflated” with children inside, they added.

Hopeful Mum Claire Simm arrived early, but said: “I was home for 1.30pm, I wouldn’t have been there that long but was stuck in the Santa queue.”

Organisers Cree8ive Events said it was“value for money”.

Event manager Martin Robinson acknowledg­ed there had been issues with queuing. LET-DOWN Snow globe falls flat

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? RINK STINKS
RINK STINKS
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom