The organiser of a Willy Wonka experience branded a “disgrace” by visitors has apologised.
Billy Coull, the Director of House of Illuminati, said he was “deeply disappointed” after the £35 a ticket event turned out to be an almost empty Glasgow warehouse decorated with some posters, a rainbow and a bouncy castle.
They had advertised the experience using AI-scripted posters and adverts.
He told STV: “I’m so, so sorry to everybody for the sheer and utter disappointment”.
Police were called to an 'immersive event' inspired by Willy Wonka in Glasgow after furious parents complained about the quality of the event. https://t.co/8BIz7jOESm pic.twitter.com/hqpgeNB9uk
— STV News (@STVNews) February 26, 2024
Parents reported children bursting into tears when they discovered the actors playing the Oompa Loompas were struggling to remember their scripts.
Stuart Sinclair, who had taken his family, said the event was “that bad, it was funny”.
He said the children had been promised a “full Wonka” experience with chocolate fountains but his children only got two jelly babies and shared a can of limeade.
Another visitor Aileen Butcher told the Daily Record it was an “absolute disgrace”.
She said: “It took us a minute to walk through.
“Some families were very, very angry and had little children who were crying.
“It was a tense atmosphere and new families were arriving looking bewildered.”
A House of Illuminati spokesperson said it had been “a very stressful and frustrating day for many and for that we are truly sorry”.
He said: “Unfortunately, at the last minute we were let down in many areas of our event and tried our best to continue on and push through and now realise we probably should have cancelled first thing this morning instead.
“We fully apologise for what has happened and will be giving full refunds to each and every person that purchased tickets.“We planned a fabulous event and it just did not take shape as planned and for that we are truly sorry, we are devastated at how this has turned out and understand people’s anger and frustration that everyone has had, refunds have already started being issued and the rest should be over the coming days, again we are truly sorry to everyone.”
