http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...lapland-refund
A number of visitors to the Lapland New Forest winter theme park have had letters demanding a refund returned to them marked as "delivery refused".
Parents who were lured in by advertisements promoting a "breathtaking" experience were instead met with sub-par attractions that some visitors described as a "glorified car boot sale".
The winter theme park closed down six days after opening on 29 November leaving scores of families in the lurch and thousands seeking ticket refunds.
The attraction was advertised as a place "where dreams really do come true". But visitors, who had paid up to £30, were outraged when they arrived on the site near Ringwood, Hampshire.
Children had to wait up to four hours to see Father Christmas and fights broke out between Santa's elves and irate parents.
Trading standards officials were swamped with complaints so told people to write to Lapland New Forest in an attempt to get their money back.
Over the past week, angry customers who had complained to the company and demanded refunds have started to receive their letters back.
One mother of three, who does not want to be named, said: "I spent £125 on tickets so my husband and I could take my children to the park for a Christmas treat. Then it closed before we were due to go so I wrote to Lapland at every address to ask for my money back.
"But now my letters have been returned to me and have been stamped with 'delivery refused'.
"I am just so angry that these people seem to be getting away with all our money."
The event's owner, Henry Mears, has previously promised to refund every customer - if he won the lottery.
A spokesman from the council said it was still investigating and gathering evidence for possible prosecuting against Lapland New Forest Ltd.
He said: "A number of consumers have managed to get a refund through their debit or credit card company. We are aware that some consumers have tried to send letters to the registered office address for the company and these have been returned. The registered office is, at this moment, still the only proper address for the company."
A man who answered the phone at Lapland New Forest continued to blame bad press coverage for the disaster.
He said: "I think people should be looking to the press to get their money back."
The firm running the park said it had closed the attraction because of "intentional organised crowd manipulation and event sabotage".
Trading standards earlier said it was investigating complaints from visitors but did not have the power to shut it.
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Previously on "Lapland New Forest"
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Originally posted by Bob Dalek View PostEnlighten me: when you visited, was it simply the set with some utterly crap, hand-me-down, w@nky old "amusement" rides? Or has it improved? It was like a day trip to Hell, without the charm, when I went... admittedly some years ago.
As far as I remember all that was there was the Set
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Originally posted by Spacecadet View PostI went there when I was about 5 (26 years ago) and it was great
I thought it was just the "abandoned" film set though, not purpose built as a theme park
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quite a controversy in dorset: elves punched, kiddies crying, outraged parents, carnage!
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/lapland/
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Originally posted by milanbenes View PostVoodooChild
Originally posted by milanbenes View Posthe already said it...
'are going to the actual lapland '
doh !
Milan.
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Originally posted by Alf W View Post
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Might want to have a look at this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7760237.stm
Allegedly the reality doesn't match the website
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VoodooChild,
he already said it...
'are going to the actual lapland '
doh !
Milan.
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Originally posted by Bob Dalek View PostReminds me of the horror that was (still is?) "Popeye Village", in Malta.
I thought it was just the "abandoned" film set though, not purpose built as a theme park
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Originally posted by BrilloPad View PostMy twins are going to the actual lapland with Mrs BP 2 weeks on Sunday.
I stay home to look after the toddler.
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