UK News

Lapland New Forest closed down after being branded a

Wednesday, 10th December 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

Lapland A theme park designed to offer the experience of Lapland in the middle of an English National Park has been closed down after visitors described it as, among other things, "hell", a "scam" and "disorganised chaos".

Lapland New Forest claimed to offer a winter wonderland complete with real log cabins, huskies, reindeer, a bustling Christmas market and, of course, a trip to Santa's grotto but visitors were dismayed to discover a grotty half-hearted effort. The facilities were described as "poor" and many expressed concern for the animals which they discovered miserably chained up in pens.

The park opened last week and over 2000 people had bought tickets via its website, costing £30 for individuals, £25 each for families of four or more, and £10 for children under, with further charges for some attractions once inside. Now they are demanding compensation for having been misled.

As one spokesperson told the press: "They're going to lose a hell of a lot of money and possibly one of them's going to lose a house over this." The park's director, Victor Mears, posted a formal statement on the website Thursday afternoon.

"With my deepest regret and sincerest apology I am left with no option but to announce that I am forced to close the children's entertainment theme park 'Lapland New Forest,'" he said, blaming "intentional organised crowd manipulation and event sabotage" as well as "unscrupulous and inaccurate negative bias media broadcasts of both local and national press".