LAPLAND: WE WON'T CLOSE - SIGN OUR PETITION
8:36am Wednesday 3rd December 2008
Comments (40)LAPLAND New Forest bosses are battling on with their troubled Christmas theme park despite calls for it to be closed down and the threat of prosecution.
The much-criticised site is still open for business despite more than 2,000 complaints and investigations from local councils and the RSPCA.
Dorset County Council’s trading officers are considering evidence after visiting the Matchams site to see for themselves what prompted so many calls from angry customers.
They took photographs and are considering whether there have been any breaches of consumer rights, and if customers have been misled.
East Dorset District Council continues to investigate health and safety issues and has stopped the sale of alcohol on the site. An alcohol licence had been granted but is not yet in force.
The council said that the majority of complaints about health and safety had proved to be unfounded but has identified a number of minor concerns.
Meanwhile, the RSPCA has launched a formal investigation after receiving calls from people worried about the treatment of animals at the attraction.
Hundreds of angry families have demanded that Lapland New Forest is closed down and are doing all they can to get their money back.
But when the Daily Echo called the booking line yesterday (Tues) we were told it was still open for business.
“We are still going. The publicity we have had has not been good because we had a disastrous opening weekend but things are in place to correct it,” we were told.
“Everything that could go wrong did go wrong and nothing went in our favour but now the ice rink is up and running and the fairground is working and is free of charge.”
Up to 50,000 people are believed to have pre-purchased tickets. Complaints have flooded in about the attraction, which costs £30 per person or £100 for a family of four.
Visitors told how they had to queue for hours to see Santa, who was spotted smoking outside his “grotto”, how food, drink and toys ran out and Santa and his elves were involved in scuffles with furious visitors.
Jayne Cox contacted the Daily Echo from her home in Devon and told how she and around a dozen other families from her local school have bought tickets.
“The first family went yesterday and were devastated – the rest of us just want out money back” she said. “We have booked hotels due to the travelling distance and my husband has taken his last two days of holiday entitlement for what was to be our magical Christmas time together as a family.”
Grandparents Jan and Mike Hudgell said it was “a complete disgrace” and added: “How people could do that to children I do not know.”
Do you have a spare ticket/s for Lapland on Friday, December 5? If so contact newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk or call us on 01202 411293
Visit our related links panel on the right-hand side to sign our petition to get Lapland customers a refund and to read our other Lapland stories.
Your Say YourThisisdorset
Zzzz, Poole says...
8:55am Wed 3 Dec 08
GB1980, Southbourne says...
9:03am Wed 3 Dec 08
For a long time now Christmas seems to have been all about moaning when impossibly high expectations aren't met, but literally giving Father Christmas a punch in the face has to be a new low.
Who in their right mind goes to see a "tunnel of light" (magical or otherwise) in the daylight anyway?
I'm not saying I would ever spend £30 on 4 hours in a temporary theme park, but I'd like to think I would try to make the best of a bad situation for the sake of the children, rather than constantly berating the place in front of them and teaching them that violence towards people who are trying to help is acceptable behaviour.
Zzzz, Poole says...
9:06am Wed 3 Dec 08
So basically, you're paying £30 for parking and to go through a "tunnel of light" to see Santa. I advise people to read the small-print when booking such things in future.
Arjay, Bournemouth says...
9:23am Wed 3 Dec 08
With over £1 million 'in the bank' so to speak, why give up on a scam that the RSPCA, Health and Safety, and Trading Standards people seem to be saying is 'OK'?
I'm guessing the organisers children will probably go to the real Lapland for their Christmas treat. After all,daddy can probably afford it now.
It's a wicked world. Happy Christmas!
Frank28, Hants says...
11:28am Wed 3 Dec 08
JackHass, NewMilton says...
11:31am Wed 3 Dec 08
Watch out Santa cause "we now know where you are living"!
I sure that if we replaced the road signs and notices for the local dump to 'Wonderland' people would still throw their hard earned money at it, without even questioning it.
What this sad venture highlights is that a well run and organised New Forest Lapland would be a bigger money spinner and more successful than the now jaded and dull New Forest Show.
Unfortunately, the Matchams Clueless Team have well and truly put our local Santa to sleep for the next decade or so.
As far as Trading Standards are concerned? They are also a sham. Anyone trying to sell a snide DVD will be pounced upon but the rat selling swords and daggers can freely and happily invest in death.
I haven't heard of many severe injuries caused by a James Bond disc.
It's when big business says jump the T.S. team are only to happy to jump into FX action.But, when Mr. Bean gets ripped off they simply appear on the BBC with flaccid rat-speak.
We need real action men(ok and women).
Grumpy Griff, Christchurch says...
11:46am Wed 3 Dec 08
djd, bournemouth says...
12:08pm Wed 3 Dec 08
There's been so much publicity now that anyone going must know what to expect
free wessex, Bridport says...
12:48pm Wed 3 Dec 08
GAHmusic, Bournemouth says...
1:49pm Wed 3 Dec 08
MoordownMarc, Bournemouth says...
1:53pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Yet another example of a massive public sector body whose employees are glad to take our money (for the rest of their lives) but cannot or won't do the job we pay them for.
For all those ripped off at Matchams the insult added to their injury is that the agency supposed to prevent this happening stand by and apparently do nothing.
Tom Griffiths, Bransgore says...
1:57pm Wed 3 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:17pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
4:33pm Wed 3 Dec 08
However when it comes to the state trying to protect people from OTHER people's stupidity the speeding motorists, puffing fags in people,s face you can't move for the self righteous whining of these hypocrites.
It reflects the society that we have become where nobody accepts responsibility anymore. Everything has to be now - or it is someone else's fault.
Anyone who feels the true spirit of Christmas can be met by visiting a false, plastic representation a month or more before the event can only have the same shallow and plastic values. And in that light should not be too surprised if they meet someone with the same views coming the opposite way.
As to the Trading Standards, maybe a few of the keyboard warriors on here could actually tell us what rules they are failing to implement rather than making wild allegations and defamatory accusations.
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
5:08pm Wed 3 Dec 08
This has nothing to do with smoking, or driving cars. This is a blatant act of money being falsely taken from many through false advertising.
What would you do if this had happened to you. Then of course it would not, because you do not get out enough.
S P Davies, Ferndown says...
5:11pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Bob49 wrote:
How odd. The usual suspects regularly clutter up this forum with their endless squeaks about the nanny state yet now demand that the state should intervene to protect people from their own stupidity. However when it comes to the state trying to protect people from OTHER people's stupidity the speeding motorists, puffing fags in people,s face you can't move for the self righteous whining of these hypocrites. It reflects the society that we have become where nobody accepts responsibility anymore. Everything has to be now - or it is someone else's fault. Anyone who feels the true spirit of Christmas can be met by visiting a false, plastic representation a month or more before the event can only have the same shallow and plastic values. And in that light should not be too surprised if they meet someone with the same views coming the opposite way. As to the Trading Standards, maybe a few of the keyboard warriors on here could actually tell us what rules they are failing to implement rather than making wild allegations and defamatory accusations.
I stand by my comments - even though the politically-correct mods have removed them, and if I wish to use words such as chavs and pikeys (which, BTW, aren't listed as vulgar in the OED and have their roots deep in the English language), then I shall do so.
I state again that Trading Standards have a lot more powers than they are utilising, as does the DTI, but are chicken scared of confronting these people because they are representatives of a clan of people who constantly cry Human Rights whenever they are threatened with prosecution.
I will expect you to quote the exact term that was, as you claim, "defamatory" as none of my previous comment was anything like defamatory as it was prefixed with "in my opinion" and "I believe", etc.
So go away and play censor with someone else who might crumple to your attempt at bullying people offline.
ned flanders, Parkstone Village says...
5:58pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Bob49 wrote:Spot on mate, I find the whole thing rather ridiculous 'my 6 year old was extremely angry' - Quote from one news report. I suggest that this child is taking life far too seriously!!
How odd. The usual suspects regularly clutter up this forum with their endless squeaks about the nanny state yet now demand that the state should intervene to protect people from their own stupidity. However when it comes to the state trying to protect people from OTHER people's stupidity the speeding motorists, puffing fags in people,s face you can't move for the self righteous whining of these hypocrites. It reflects the society that we have become where nobody accepts responsibility anymore. Everything has to be now - or it is someone else's fault. Anyone who feels the true spirit of Christmas can be met by visiting a false, plastic representation a month or more before the event can only have the same shallow and plastic values. And in that light should not be too surprised if they meet someone with the same views coming the opposite way. As to the Trading Standards, maybe a few of the keyboard warriors on here could actually tell us what rules they are failing to implement rather than making wild allegations and defamatory accusations.
If this is all xmas is about for a large bunch of sadcases then pity them.
Enjoy life, live it to the max and don't get too hung up on silly little episodes like this.. I cant believe it has been national news for days on end.
I await the usual replies..
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
6:32pm Wed 3 Dec 08
People paid good money, people travelled from some distances. It was not just locals. In fact locals would probably have been aware of Matchams and the Mears.
If you had £100 or more taken from you under false pretences you would be up in arms about. No one in this day and age shrugs it off. We have a government who takes enough of our money.
Answer me this. Why on tonights news has Matchams and Mears said they would work with the Trading Standards people, and get it sorted and brought up to the standard it was advertised at. Is that not the sign of guilt, albeit it too late.
I cannot believe you think like you do. Here is your first reply.
Megnom, Bournemouth says...
7:10pm Wed 3 Dec 08
It is truly a wonderland for the children. And the show (3hours) is a must for any adult or child.
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
7:55pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Sadly he (or she) cannot quite grasp the difference between his (or her) conspiracy theories and the laws of libel. Hence, I suspect his previous rants being taken down.
Much the same with DailyView (surely Mail). There is a difference between defending somebody delivering goods as not advertised and criticism of people want those goods.
Personally I care not a fig about the state of this supposed 'Lapland' neither do I wish to see people lose money. However I do get out enough in my job to know that only last week a few airport workers were joking about the shanty town that was emerging at Matchams.
My comment was aimed at idiots who want their 'Christmas' to begin in October and be based around some cheap, ersatz Disney world.
As to this being the same as buying tickets at a tourist shop might I point out the large number of holidays and flights that have been ruined despite tickets being bought at tourist shops.
As to some of our more rabid posters on here I am still waiting for any verification of their absurd accusations regarding Trading Standards.
Please tell us about those 'lots more powers' or being 'chicken scared' - and how those accusations square with another poster who says that 'Matchams and Mears said they would work with the Trading Standards people'.
Not always the easiest thing perhaps to prove all you put on the internet (as Mears and co have demonstrated) but I'm sure those accusers on here will not disappoint.
Mikethebirder, Dorset says...
8:08pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Apparently 95% of vistors are happy. Given that there have been at least 1,300 complaints to Trading Standards (and that is just complaints and ignores those that have resigned themselves to putting it down to experience) that means that over 1/4 million people attended in the first few days.
At least that would explain the 4 hour queues!
Mikethebirder, Dorset says...
8:21pm Wed 3 Dec 08
One question though. Friday before opening was a press day I understand. Where were the Echo then? Did they have represntation and if so were they going round with their eyes closed or had they overdosed on sherry and mince pies?
S P Davies, Ferndown says...
8:32pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Bob49 wrote:It never ceases to amaze me how thick some people can be, along with being complete hypocrites. Bob goes on and on about choices and then has a cheap pop at people as to how THEY CHOOSE to SPEND THEIR weekends with THEIR families.
Poor old SP Davies. it's all political correctness. Everything, even Hedgehog flavoured cucumbers I shouldn't wonder. Sadly he (or she) cannot quite grasp the difference between his (or her) conspiracy theories and the laws of libel. Hence, I suspect his previous rants being taken down. Much the same with DailyView (surely Mail). There is a difference between defending somebody delivering goods as not advertised and criticism of people want those goods. Personally I care not a fig about the state of this supposed 'Lapland' neither do I wish to see people lose money. However I do get out enough in my job to know that only last week a few airport workers were joking about the shanty town that was emerging at Matchams. My comment was aimed at idiots who want their 'Christmas' to begin in October and be based around some cheap, ersatz Disney world. As to this being the same as buying tickets at a tourist shop might I point out the large number of holidays and flights that have been ruined despite tickets being bought at tourist shops. As to some of our more rabid posters on here I am still waiting for any verification of their absurd accusations regarding Trading Standards. Please tell us about those 'lots more powers' or being 'chicken scared' - and how those accusations square with another poster who says that 'Matchams and Mears said they would work with the Trading Standards people'. Not always the easiest thing perhaps to prove all you put on the internet (as Mears and co have demonstrated) but I'm sure those accusers on here will not disappoint.
If people wish to visit this place in Novemeber, (NOT October as you so erroneously stated...duh!!) then that's up to them.
However, in the process of buyng online, they should be protected by Trading Standards if things don't get delivered as promised . This is nothing to do with passing the responsibility... it is about basic decent human ethics and traders who are clearing trying to scam people whilst Trading Standards play their collective quartet of fiddle, whilst the flames of anger lick around their feet.
The DTI and Trading Standards has powers to issue a Desist Notice... and that is FACT, not conspiracy theory, but plain and simple FACT.
Whilst it's all well and good quoting people who were apparently, as you claim, workign nearby, there were alarge number of visitors from outside the area who don't enjoy that local knowledge.
Your smug inference that they should have (somehow?) known better is typical from idiots who play the I'm all right, Jack card, and don;t give two hoots about anyone else who has suffered.
Anyway, isn't it past your bedtime to be posting on grown up forums... :-)
sn3owy, ringwood says...
8:49pm Wed 3 Dec 08
ten stars all round.
peterdw777, says...
8:50pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Perhaps the complainers of his vice should thank their lucky stars that drinking alcohol hasn't been outlawed - yet!
pd7, Dorset says...
9:21pm Wed 3 Dec 08
I am not relgious , but if you want a bit of xmas magic wake up at 6 kick the wife and kids into life take a drive into the middle of new forest dump the car and go for a walk in a frosty forest , hug the wife tell the kids to look for santa and the ponies you may even see bambi tell the kids they are on shift work for 24 dec deliveries , collect some fir cones , go to a village get some breakfast , get some silver paint and glitter for the fir cones .
Forget the glitz and 30 quid a head get out there and DIY
Laurie Marsh, brisbane says...
10:04pm Wed 3 Dec 08
It appeared on Aussie T.V. today.
Headlined, "Santas helper gets bashed"!
Although the real "bun fight" seems to be in the "comments" section!
Adrian XX, Poole says...
10:51pm Wed 3 Dec 08
peterdw777 wrote:Probably little boys and girls are no longer allowed to sit on Santa's knee. I guess that's not politically correct??
I don't see why 'Santa' should be condemmed for smoking in his break. Many people still smoke and doing so outside in the open air is not illegal.
Perhaps the complainers of his vice should thank their lucky stars that drinking alcohol hasn't been outlawed - yet!
If this act is permitted, then Santa should not smoke. We don't want little children becoming convinced that santa is smelly, do we?
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
10:57pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Here we have Bob making out that it is the peoples fault, but does not look at the wider range of people who did visit, who actually in the majority travelled from afar, and did not know about Matchams and its previous faults. However, like him, we the locals new different and in the main chose not to go.
I also heard and did see the make up of the New Forest Lapland, and instantly saw it as the makings of yet another scam. What do you do, where do you go. Why did Bob not say anything when he heard at the airport what was going on. If I could have done, I would have done so.
Bob49, I hope when you referred to the other poster, regarding hearing the news of Mears talking with the OFT and Trading Standards, that I was lying in anyway. It was his words on the 6pm news of 2CR Radio.
Like I said, that is a sign of yes I hold my hands up, it was a cokc up, and a scam. They should now be considering paying back the money
Bob49 I appreciate this is a debatable forum, and we have our opinions, but I think it is totally unfair when one like yourself depicts that he or she is right. I have followed this story as I do many, it is part of the work I do. Therefore I do try and keep on track
oneshortleg, kinson says...
10:58pm Wed 3 Dec 08
angrymob, Near the Sea says...
11:07pm Wed 3 Dec 08
typ, somewhere says...
11:28pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Important Notice: We have been having severe and very unusual technical problems with our server computer since Monday 1st December ... not with the website itself, but the machine we lease to host the website. All effort has/is being made to identify and correct this issue, but it has left us completely unable to communicate directly to all the customers and interested people who may have wished to view the website. This bizarre machine fault has also suspended all online ticket booking and we can only thank you for your open-minded understanding during this difficult time and apologise for any concern this 'silent' situation may have given you.
In all the years ive had my web sites hosted on 1 and 1 servers they have never been down for more than a couple of hours. How really unfortunate that there server has been down for allmost 3 days :)
typ, somewhere says...
11:51pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Dorsetmick, ringwood says...
11:56pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Come on press talk to every one and not just the people that complain, we loved it great value for money and lovely day out.
And no we dont work for lap land and no i dont own lap land.
Dorsetmick, ringwood says...
11:57pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Come on press talk to every one and not just the people that complain, we loved it great value for money and lovely day out.
And no we dont work for lap land and no i dont own lap land.
Dorsetmick, ringwood says...
11:58pm Wed 3 Dec 08
Come on press talk to every one and not just the people that complain, we loved it great value for money and lovely day out.
And no we dont work for lap land and no i dont own lap land.
Zzzz, Poole says...
8:56am Thu 4 Dec 08
Dorsetmick wrote:Yeah right. Pull Rudolph’s other one: it's got bells on it.
I cant see what all the problem is i took my wife and family today and it was a lovely lovely day.
Come on press talk to every one and not just the people that complain, we loved it great value for money and lovely day out.
And no we dont work for lap land and no i dont own lap land.
Munchkinn, Blackfield, Southampton says...
9:47am Thu 4 Dec 08
sn3owy, ringwood says...
1:50am Fri 5 Dec 08
Picture by Gary Ellson, Bournemouth Helicopters
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GAHmusic, Bournemouth says...
8:40am Wed 3 Dec 08