A mother has described her family's first ever visit to Center Parcs at Sherwood Forest as an experience has "put them right off from ever going back". Daniela Sponder and her family live in Croydon in South East London and made a 180 mile trip up to the site near Clipstone in Nottinghamshire.
Daniela, 35, her husband and their two children, a son aged two and a now 16-week-old daughter, spent three hours and 40 minutes on July 1 driving across England to reach their holiday destination. They had spent just under £1,100 on a week's stay. But upon arrival at their lodge, which they'd paid extra for as it was by the lake, they found their back patio to be covered in bird excrement.
Daniela, who works in HR, raised a complaint with guest services on the site, and says she was told it would be sorted within the next 24 hours and it would be jet washed. That time came and went, and Daniela raised the issue again.
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Eventually, workers came out to clean it, but it was cleaned, using a bucket, mop and bleach. Daniela is furious that bleach was used in an area where her children, especially her two-year-old son, would have played, and said they were unable to do so because bleach has been used.
She said: "When they arrived with that, I thought are you having a laugh? The equipment was completely inadequate with inappropriate methods used, there was a lack of common sense and it's a massive health and safety hazard.
"Even when we got to the lodge and saw the bird poo. I understand we were near a lake and it can get dirty very quickly, but I just wanted there to be the highest standard of cleaning possible and it was filthy.
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"There was no chance my children were going anywhere near that. It was a bit of a disappointing trip in that sense.
"We were really looking forward to it, as we couldn't go abroad this year because of the birth of my daughter, it suited us well and it was a little adventure. But since all that happened, it's put us right off ever going back."
After coming home from their holiday on July 8, Daniela raised a complaint with Center Parcs, but says she has been left "disgusted" at how it has been handled. She wants a "sincere apology" from Center Parcs.
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Daniela said: "I did receive a response from them, saying that the situation was out of their control, but I thought that's not good enough, and wanted to escalate it to management. But I don't believe this was done and I don't think it was handled in the appropriate manner.
"It's all well and good when money is taken, but basic safety and hygienic matters were not taken into consideration. We're talking about young children being able to play outside but they can't because of the bleach."
Center Parcs has been approached for comment.
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