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| Hundreds slam Lapland park 'scam' | Hundreds slam Lapland park 'scam' |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| A newly-opened "winter wonderland" Lapland-style theme park has been described as a "joke" and a "scam" by hundreds of angry visitors. | |
| Many people have demanded a refund of the £25 they paid to enter the Lapland New Forest, at Matchams Leisure Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border. | Many people have demanded a refund of the £25 they paid to enter the Lapland New Forest, at Matchams Leisure Park on the Hampshire-Dorset border. |
| Several visitors have contacted the BBC saying the standard is extremely poor and does not resemble marketing photos. | Several visitors have contacted the BBC saying the standard is extremely poor and does not resemble marketing photos. |
| Organiser Henry Mears said: "We don't believe we ripped anyone off." | Organiser Henry Mears said: "We don't believe we ripped anyone off." |
| He blamed "a few groups of professional troublemakers" for the allegations over the attraction which opened on Friday. | He blamed "a few groups of professional troublemakers" for the allegations over the attraction which opened on Friday. |
| "Like all people they like to get into queues and just generate a bit of aggravation. | "Like all people they like to get into queues and just generate a bit of aggravation. |
| The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds April Chantler | The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds April Chantler |
| "What is not here that we haven't advertised?" he added. | "What is not here that we haven't advertised?" he added. |
| More than 250 people have joined three Facebook groups about the park, with many demanding refunds. | More than 250 people have joined three Facebook groups about the park, with many demanding refunds. |
| Some said they had contacted the RSPCA about the animals on site. | Some said they had contacted the RSPCA about the animals on site. |
| The park's website, which became unavailable on Monday afternoon, had shown pictures of snowy scenes and icicles, and promised real log cabins, a nativity scene, husky dogs and other animals, as well as a "bustling" Christmas market. | The park's website, which became unavailable on Monday afternoon, had shown pictures of snowy scenes and icicles, and promised real log cabins, a nativity scene, husky dogs and other animals, as well as a "bustling" Christmas market. |
| It said: "We can assure you of an absolutely magical scene... just look how real and cold the 'snow' appears to be." | It said: "We can assure you of an absolutely magical scene... just look how real and cold the 'snow' appears to be." |
| But some visitors said that what they experienced was "disorganised chaos" and "hell". | But some visitors said that what they experienced was "disorganised chaos" and "hell". |
| They have complained that, once inside the park, they had to pay more to use the attractions. | They have complained that, once inside the park, they had to pay more to use the attractions. |
| People said the Chistmas market was far from "bustling"In pictures | People said the Chistmas market was far from "bustling"In pictures |
| Some also said that the animals looked unhappy and the facilities, including a broken ice rink, were poor. | Some also said that the animals looked unhappy and the facilities, including a broken ice rink, were poor. |
| Amanda Goodenough, of Blandford, Dorset, told the BBC she paid £150 for tickets for her family. | Amanda Goodenough, of Blandford, Dorset, told the BBC she paid £150 for tickets for her family. |
| The park was "a complete misrepresentation, leaving my children heartbroken," she complained. | The park was "a complete misrepresentation, leaving my children heartbroken," she complained. |
| "The advertisement lends you to believe that this is a snow-covered Lapland village with Hollywood special effects and a bustling Christmas market with an ice rink. | "The advertisement lends you to believe that this is a snow-covered Lapland village with Hollywood special effects and a bustling Christmas market with an ice rink. |
| "The website is totally misleading, including photographs which bear no relation to the reality which awaits you on entry." | "The website is totally misleading, including photographs which bear no relation to the reality which awaits you on entry." |
| 'Chained' huskies | 'Chained' huskies |
| April Chantler, of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, described the park as "hell". | April Chantler, of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, described the park as "hell". |
| "The huskies were chained up in a pen howling, yapping and generally looking thin and unhappy. | "The huskies were chained up in a pen howling, yapping and generally looking thin and unhappy. |
| "The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds with more or less nothing in them." | "The two reindeer were obviously not enjoying their surroundings and the 'log cabins' were a few green painted sheds with more or less nothing in them." |
| People say the website was misleading | People say the website was misleading |
| Grace Tyrrell, of Fareham, Hampshire, said there were many health and safety issues and that the toilets were "full to the seat" leaving her six-year-old daughter "disgusted". | Grace Tyrrell, of Fareham, Hampshire, said there were many health and safety issues and that the toilets were "full to the seat" leaving her six-year-old daughter "disgusted". |
| "The entire day was a joke, and I know everyone else thought so," she said. | "The entire day was a joke, and I know everyone else thought so," she said. |
| "The nativity scene was a picture on a painted wall which was viewed from a distance and which had everyone we met laughing." | "The nativity scene was a picture on a painted wall which was viewed from a distance and which had everyone we met laughing." |
| Mr Mears, who organises the park's marketing and advertising, added he was "bemused" by the complaints. | Mr Mears, who organises the park's marketing and advertising, added he was "bemused" by the complaints. |
| "Sadly, the first two days were very, very wet and cold and not the most pleasant." | "Sadly, the first two days were very, very wet and cold and not the most pleasant." |
| He said the ice rink was now open after "it had a problem" which was out of the park's hands. | He said the ice rink was now open after "it had a problem" which was out of the park's hands. |
| Mr Mears added he was going to speak to his boss to see "what we are going to do about it", but could not promise anyone a refund. | Mr Mears added he was going to speak to his boss to see "what we are going to do about it", but could not promise anyone a refund. |
| Dorset County Council's trading standards team said it would start an investigation after receiving more than 50 complaints. | Dorset County Council's trading standards team said it would start an investigation after receiving more than 50 complaints. |
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| Have you visited the theme park? Are you planning to go? | Have you visited the theme park? Are you planning to go? |
| Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. | Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |