Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition to reopen the "beloved" Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow.
The petition features a tongue-in-cheek blurb about why the experience should be reopened.
"I, along with countless others, have been deeply affected by the closure of the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience," it reads. "This unique attraction has brought joy and wonder to thousands of visitors since its opening. It is more than just a tourist spot; it's a place where dreams come alive and imaginations run wild.
"Reopening the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience will not only bring back a beloved attraction but also boost local economy by attracting tourists once again.
"This petition is our collective voice asking for what we want – to bring back this magical experience that touched so many lives."
One person from Northern Ireland commented: “BRING BACK METH LAB OOMPA LOOMPAS”, beneath the petition.
Parents, children, and families were sold a "full Wonka" experience for £35.
But in reality, they turned up to a sparsely decorated Glasgow warehouse, decorated with some posters, a rainbow and a bouncy castle. Oompa Loompas were actors struggling to recite lines given to them the night before opening.
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.”
Billy Coull, the director of House of Illuminati, said he was “deeply disappointed”.
He told STV: “I’m so, so sorry to everybody for the sheer and utter disappointment”.
Stuart Sinclair, who had taken his family, said the event was “that bad, it was funny”.
People online are amused, too. On X/Twitter, the jokes and memes rolled in.
This photo from the Willy wonka experience is single handedly the photo of the year. I know it’s only February but close the vote there’s no topping this. Please find this woman she needs to be interviewed ASAP pic.twitter.com/97wsodLLpQ
— 🇱🇹 (@agneponx) February 27, 2024
the funniest part of the willy wonka thing is that if it reopened this weekend it’d sell more tickets than it ever did
— leanne (@fantasy_snack) February 28, 2024
BREAKING: Kate Middleton has been spotted at the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow pic.twitter.com/R4Nf8HMCrP
— Joe ✨ (@balf4our) February 28, 2024
The Willy Wonka experience pic.twitter.com/CSlmrkTXuF
— chris 🕊️ (@wheresmywigggg) February 28, 2024
Every photo of the Willy Wonka experience just looks like this pic.twitter.com/o19OaocXHs
— Artie Different Class era🍉🍉 (@Unearthly_Chi1d) February 28, 2024
And the jokes rolled in about the petition, too.
"If I die today, let this be known as my contribution to society," one tweet read.
Another read: "Let's try to reopen the Willy Wonka experience y'all."
"No child should be denied the disappointment of a shite day oot. Get it signed! #WillyWonka," said another user.
