my mum wants to take mine and my sister's kids

here

It sounds fab from the website, but...

Having looked on google I have encountered posts on another forum that seem to state that they don't actually have planning permission yet and that this isn't due to go through until November.

But they are already taking bookings.

Does anyone know anything about this?

as it is the first year should we be cautious?

not sure. do you remember the threads last year about that xmas experience. I can't remember where it was tho. Seemed to cost quite a bit, and wasn't a great exp for the majority.

sounds a bit if no planning permission and they are taking money!!

the one last year was in kent. And from what i've found even they only gained planning permission a week before it was due to open.

This is much cheaper than the kent one (although 30 quid a head still isn't cheap) but the one in kent is apparently between £55/75 per person .

They have applied for planning but the head of planning has said they are waiting for the results of "consultation with interested parties"

I suspect there is a good chance of it being passed as it is on a site where motor racing is held and it is being billed by the local paper as respite from the noise for local residents, which has been a long standing issue.

However it is by no means certain as they are very hot on turning things down if there is a threat to any trees, which I guess there might be.

It is nothing like the photos.

It is basically a fairground with a few cheaply dressed elves.

The snow is sparse, if at all.

The day is basically one long queue. You queue to enter, queue to see Santa, queue to pick up your present, which is something you would win at a fair and then leave.

Very, very disappointing. I would never again put my children through this.

Hi Mandygav and welcome to Mumsnet . Sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one.

I have decided against going this year after the fiasco with Lapland UK last year and am waiting to see how it pans out as time goes on and with more people through the door.

Do feel that people have to be very careful when reading reports about Lapland UK and Lapland New Forest as it became somewhat obvious last year that some of the reviews of Lapland UK were not fully impartial and I think there is a potential for disinformation to be spread through forums this year for both of the sites.

I would urge people reading reviews on various sites for both of them to have a look and see how long reviewers have been posting and if they are new posters and maybe have a think about how a forum could be used with a situation like this.

If I come across any reviews in our local paper or get any information from friends who go (not aware of anyone going at the moment) I'll post up some feedback

"I would never again put my children through this."

Oh my god! I mean what a hardship

Oh no! Really?

My lovely sil and bil have already booked and paid for us all to go (6 children included) on Xmas eve. The kids have been looking at the website and getting very excited.

Please let it be ok [worried emoticon]

there are reports in the local press that it's not

On the other thread there is talk that trading standards are investigating and apparently there are even rumours that it is going to be shut down. although obviously one can't believe everything one reads on the internet , I haven't seen a good word said about it, and someone on another forum did link to photo's they'd taken there which differed fastly from was was portrayed on the website.

Tbh I would be inclined too play it down to the kids, or even try to get your money back if poss. but if you can't get your money back then I would just tell the kids that things generally aren't the same in rl as they appear in books/the net etc so that the disappointment isn't too bad for them if it comes to that.

Oh dear, i will phone her later and see if she can get her money back.

It will be a major day our for all of us, we are meeting grandparents there too. My sil and i will be 37/38 weeks pregnant and travelling from quite a way to go.

Not sure it is worth the risk. Very disappointing, hope she can get her money back.

here are more comments and pictures as well

rofl

"i even heard yesterday that 2 guys had a fight over the last of icing sugar at the gingerbread hut, are british people just expecting too much these days for their money?

the toy shop was even being looted! has this country gone mad?"

farking hell
www.babyandbump.com/christmas-forum/60499-new-forest-lapland-updated-reviews-16.html

"In short: there was no elf to greet us as promised;"

So would you go then exbat?

we went to lapland on saturday 29th nov. paid £90.00 for three of us. not worth £10.00. save your cash its just one big rip off. no tunnel of light no special fxs. 2hrs to see father chritmas and then charged £10.00 for a photo, no mention of this until you actually view the photo. ice skating not even in the same area. had to get hand stamped to go through to fair where rides where between £1.50 and £2.00 ago. then we found the ice skating rink and were told it was £5.00 per session. however it wasnt even in use as the water on the rink wouldnt freeze. forget it one big let down and about £150.00 lighter.

The one in the New Forest this year isn't anything to do with Bedgebury last year. Bedgebury had its critics but was pretty enjoyable (we were there when a light dusting of real snow added to the magic and both dcs loved it)
This one sounds a blatant and disastrous rip-off

Does anyone know how to contact these guys at lapland new forest now as their website is not working anymore

Damon, Matchams Leisure Park, Hurn Road nr. Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2BT

if you look at the forum I linked to above there are contact details further down.

It sounds from the fact that the company is no longer contactable that the place will be gone within a matter of days.

I think the quites of "christmas has been ruined for my children," etc are waaay ott but I do feel for people who've paid to go there and been ripped off - it's a bloody lot of money.

We came so close to going - my mum wanted to take my ds and my sister's kids but i put her off initially until the planning permission had been granted, and when we finally decided to go she didn't get round to booking the tickets - and when I looked on the site they'd all been sold out for the weekends.

Am glad now - it was obviously fate.

But horrible for people who've been conned, and tbh it sounds like a complete con - not just a rip off iykwim.

I've paid up too (for 19 December) - I am going to contact Black card to see if I can cancel the transaction. If not, I shall just write off £100 since I am not prepared to put my dc's through a miserable experience

Radio Solent has been on about this all day. Loads of people ringing in to say what a load of crap it is, what a ripoff. They sent a reporter down there but management wouldnt be interviewed. One of my close friends has bought tickets, she decided a fantastic day out would be more enjoyable than a load of presents for her dcs so blew her Xmas budget on this. they probably wont get money back.

SK if you paid by credit card you should be able to receive a refund.

The company itself is obliged to give you a refund as you have been missold a product under the trade descriptions act.

Trading standards are apparently advising people to send letters by recorded delivery.

But I would speak to your credit card company as they may be in a better position to negotiate a refund.

Also if the company is shut down I imagine their customers will be the least of their worries...

Thank you for that advice wannabe - much appreciated. Will talk to credit card company tomorrow

lapland new forest the website is back up. the local news and trading standards are advising people to contact consumer watch on 08454 040506 but are saying if you paid by credit card and it was more than £100 the credit card company should refund your money. unfortunately mine only came to £ 90.00. will be contacting consumer watch tomorrow.

contact details:

Lapland New Forest Ltd.
PO Box: 5285
Brighton, East Sussex,
BN52 6QX, UK.

Telephone: 01273 564 264 / 0753 511 2138

and looking at their availability the 5th of December is "live tv day." should be interesting?

My cousin, her two boys, my grandson and I went to Lapland New Forest on Sunday. On arrival we had burgers - stale rolls - which we ditched.

There was only 2 market stalls as the other owners had not turned up.

Opposite was a fair with rides from £2.00 each. We followed the path and were advised by other dis-satisfied visitors not to visit the Nativity area as it was just a muddy field.

We joined the queue for Father Christmas and because it was cold and wet thought we could get a cup of tea. No chance - the water was not hot. Not heard of forward planning.

Father Christmas was in a wooden shed on view to all. No grotto just him on a chair at the end of the shed. An elf and photographer were there taking pictures. Personal cameras not permitted but in the circumstances I used mine as did others. The photos are £10.00 each. What a rip off!!!

After less than an hour we all left with three unhappy children who did not get a present from Santa. And what did my cousin and I get for our £25.00. Just cold and wet and annoyed.

For those who have not been to Lapland - don't bother. You are better off going to Debenhams or a local Garden Centre. You will be warm, see F.C. in a grotto and the children get a present.

As for Lapland well the sooner they are shut down the better. I shall be contacting Consumer Watch tomorrow and writing a letter to Lapland. I did email them yesterday and left 2 answerphone messages after trying to get through for over 3 hours.

tacky xmas

My sil is trying to get her money back. I can't believe it, what a total nightmare.

I am praying she does, it is such alot of money and the children were so excited.

i saw this on the news, i'm amazed people can get away with it! maybe i should set up a lapland in my front garden, bung a few antlers on my rabbits and charge a tenner.

It sounds like the Father Ted Craggy Island Fayre.

We were really trying to find ways to afford this cos it sounded so great. What a shame. I hope people get their money back.

on bbc 1 this morning with people saying its crap, for eg, the nativity scene is a billboard painting in a muddy field. watch bbc 1 breakfast as thats waht they are talking about now

We went on Saturday and half way through he day the music stopped playing as they had blown all the speakers. Has nayone had any luck getting their money back as I've sent an email.

This is the response I have just had from the organisers of Lapland new forest.

Hello and thank you for your communication.
We are very busy at the moment preparing everything for everyone and we will reply to you as soon as is possible. If you are wishing to reserve your place in our winter wonderland - please rest assured that your request will be treated with priority.
Yours,
The Lapland New Forest Team
Our office is open: 9.00am - 6.00pm

What a joke, can't believe people can rip others off like this

what I don't understand is why this hasn't been shut down.

Trading standards said on one news artacle I read that they don't have the power to close it down, and on another forum someone had spoken to Dorset county council and was told they do not have the ability to revoke the licence - all they can do is not issue another one next year.

So basically anyone can start up a con outfit like this one, rake in the money, and by the time the complaints start flooding in it's too late because people have already paid out their cash and no-one has the power to do anything?

ldamon have a look

here
it tells you what to do to try to claim back your money. If you've paid out more than £100 you may be able to claim back through your credit card company.

Now, I wonder whether my dogs would look good as reindeer .

I heard from a friend who is due to go this Saturday that it was shut down yesterday afternoon by trading standards. Another friend who was due to go on the 21st is going to try and get her £150 back.

I think if it had been shut down that would have been reported on the news - even locally.

there's nothing here about it being shut down

Was discussed on BBC1 this morning. Not shut down accrding to them. Apparently trading standards can't legally shut it down for whatever reason, depsite there being thousands of complaints.

They did have details of where you can ask for refunds in you haven't yet been but have tickets.

There is an article about it in todays Metro. It has pictures and has been described as a 'building site'

There own website no longer appears to work - unless it is just my computer.

Hi all,

Have just spoken to Consumer Direct who work alongside Trading Standards.

In order to get your money back, you have to write, send the letter by recorded delivery, to lapland New Forest Ltd.

If you HAVE NOT YET visited then this is what I was told to put in writing to the company "...as per the BBC news report today..... I will be persuing a claim to be compensated for consequntial losses or damage for any inconvenience or mis-description unless of course you are willing to refund now before I visit your attraction...."

If you have visited, then I would suggest calling consumer direct, they are very helpful. If you have photo's then even better.

If you haven't visited and are still planning to visit, then get as many pictures as possible to support your claim for compensation.

The correct address for Lapland New Forest Lts (given by Consumer Direct) is as follows:

LAPLAND NEW FOREST LTD
UNIT 1, WILDPARK HOUSE
HOME FARM ROAD
BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX
BN1 9HT

Hope this helps.

but why can they not close it down? That is what I don't understand.

According to that artacle in the echo there have now been over 1300 complaints, and yet the onus is still on the individuals to claim back their money.

It just shows that there is no respect for the customer and that anyone is essentially free to rip off whoever they want.

I don't understand why they cant close it down either. I also don't understand how they were granted a licence in the first place. Perhaps the trading standards themselves ought to be investigated, maybe they took backhanders, it wouldn't be the first time

If trading standards give out licences without checking, and then are powerless to act when something is so obviously a scam, then what is the point of their existence?

It's just been on the Jeremy Vine show.

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

I am due to go on saturday and have decided to try and get my money back, I have been told my the credit card compnay they cannot refund it as the attraction is still open so technically I can still go!
I do not want to waste another £60 - £100 getting there and food and the rides etc when the whole place looks like a disgrace.

has anyone had any luck getting a refund?

I have also called consumer direct and they have told me to write to them and try and get a refund direct which wont happen by saturday or to go and take as many pictures as possibe and then seek independent legal advice.

Lorraine

This is really close to us and I considered trying to get tickets for last Sunday. In the end I decided to go to our usual haunt, Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean - even though it was a 2.5 hour drive there and back.

I'm so glad we didn't bother. Clearwell Caves once again didn't disappoint and was magical.

i rang consumer direct earlier, as i am due to go next friday with my husband and 2 boys. i was told that trading standards want to shut it down, but didnt have the authority to, so they are spending today working with other agencies (i.e. health and safety etc) to try and get it closed down.

i was told that if it closes you can get your money back from credit card company, or if paid by visa debit you can speak to your bank about their "charge back scheme" to get your money back.

if it doesnt close then you have to go in order to then make a complaint and then apply via your bank/credit card company to get money back.

if it hasnt shut by next friday i doubt we will go - i wouldnt want to put my 2 toddlers through it!

if i'd paid, i'd be tempted to go down there and protest myself!

if I'd paid I would go too. with as many cameras/camcorders as I could carry.

I do feel sorry for kids who have gone there. Of course it is unrealistic to expect a mini lapland in England (is the New Forest in the South?) But there is so much more they could do to make a magical Christmassy event. Those photos are laughable. I hope everyone gets compensated as I don't think it is over-reacting for some to say that their children were/would be devastated. I know my dts (nearly 7) would be so upset by a farce like that, it is that whole Santa thing the kids have - why destroy it so soon?

And those dogs, has the RSPCA been contacted?

A few people on Facebook say that they have contacted the RSPCA re the dogs and lack of water.

this been on news today its a mess pic of how bad it is

Hello all, yep another one caught up in the scam .

I spoke with trading standards and have advised me to send a recorder delivery letter to the Director of Lapland Newforest Limited at

Unit 1
Wild Park House
Homefarm Road
Brighton
BN1 9HT

I had been advised that the letter should betitle with, the breach of the supply of goods and services act 1982, service carried out without reasonable care and skill.

If needed too this can be presented in court, send the letter recorded so you have a record of delivery and keep a diary of all communications along with any letters sent or received.

Hope this helps

The kent one was an utter disaster. Every single person we know who went got their money back.

Hopefully it isn't the same people doing it.

Just been on complaintcommunity, they have the lapland new forest on their site to complain to.

On a slightly better note...
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article5280970.ece

May be useful to some.

Good old Alton Towers - whilst it is good marketing, I'm also quite touched by their festive goodwill [sniff - wipes away sentimental tear]

The Lapland Experience has been shut down. link

Don't know if this is being run by the same people but the website looks slightly familiar as does the wording.

I am probably wrong but what do other people think?

another lapland

and also found this

nobody seems happy about it

article & comments

sounds like it has been set up very quickly!

Interesting!

Sounds dodgy to me.
Are they using all the props from Lapland New Forest for this new West Midlands one do you think? Talk about making a fast buck....

Apparently the guy who ran the Crapland that just shut down made something in the region of £1.5million from that short time. The West Midlands one sounds awfully suspicious.

Am so glad I don't live down south and am so glad I couldn't afford to go to these places anyway!

According to the news, the W.Midlands one has not opened this weekend as intended

I was meant to be going on 23rd Dec, now its all been shut so am not going to make the 3 hour journey to this "wonderland!"

Have spoken to my bank who are investigating, I paid by debit card, over £100, fingers crossed the Alliance & Leicester come up trumps???

Like Surfermum, I have also previously been to Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. At £6.50 per person over the age of 2 years, its reasonable and a very nice experience. Suitable for buggies and small children, follow the story around the caves, see Father Christmas, get a decent present and then walk on to the little craft fair before following the rest of the story to the end.

Next time, I think i'll stick with what I know..... head to the Royal Forest of Dean which has a lot more professionalism about it.

Has anyone had any luck getting there money back

i have just got a letter form TSB card services saying that the price of each ticket is not beteen £100.-----£30.000.00 which means that tnot covered by the consurmer creit act.my total bill was £425 for 17 tickets but still do not mean anything .told to go to DOSET TRADING STANDARDS as any one had any luck with them?