Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

lapland in the new forest - does anyone know anything about it?

69 replies

wannaBe · 18/10/2008 16:09

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
wannaBe · 01/12/2008 22:24

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

OP posts:
JJS · 01/12/2008 23:45

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.

Sunshinesmith · 02/12/2008 00:03

tacky xmas

largeginandtonic · 02/12/2008 08:03

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.

southeastastra · 02/12/2008 08:22

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.

TsarChasm · 02/12/2008 08:25

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.

snig · 02/12/2008 08:45

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

LDamon · 02/12/2008 09:56

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.

LDamon · 02/12/2008 09:58

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

Original poster
wannaBe · 02/12/2008 09:58

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
wannaBe · 02/12/2008 10:09

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 .

OP posts:
Mumto2littleangels · 02/12/2008 10:25

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.

Original poster
wannaBe · 02/12/2008 11:04

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

OP posts:
Hulababy · 02/12/2008 11:06

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.

tiredemma · 02/12/2008 11:10

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

Hulababy · 02/12/2008 11:11

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

dancer999 · 02/12/2008 11:13

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.

Original poster
wannaBe · 02/12/2008 11:23

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.

OP posts:
smugmarried · 02/12/2008 11:56

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?

FourArms · 02/12/2008 13:17

It's just been on the Jeremy Vine show.

MikMik · 02/12/2008 13:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

lolly2272 · 02/12/2008 13:50

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

Surfermum · 02/12/2008 14:00

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.

Boosta · 02/12/2008 14:12

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!

southeastastra · 02/12/2008 14:13

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