Police were called to a Willy Wonka-themed immersive experience in Glasgow, Scotland as furious families demanded refunds.
The ‘Willy’s Chocolate Experience’ event at Box Hub Warehouse in Whiteinch was billed as a “journey filled with wondrous creations and enchanting surprises at every turn”.
However, one visitor named Eva Stewart told the BBC: “It was basically advertised as this big massive Willy Wonka experience with optical illusions and big chocolate fountains and sweets.”
She added: “But when we got there, it was practically an abandoned, empty warehouse, with hardly anything in it.”
“An abandoned, empty warehouse”
Another guest, Stuart Sinclair, told the Independent: “All the cast that were there did their absolute best. Unfortunately, they were all sub-contractor actors hired by Illuminati and haven’t been paid either.
“They were in as much shock as us. But it was probably worse for them because this is their job and made them look bad when it wasn’t their fault.”
Following complaints from parents, the event was cancelled by the organisers mid-way through on Saturday (24 February). House of Illuminati has said full refunds will be given to “each and every person that purchased tickets”.
In a Facebook post, a House of Illuminati spokesperson said: “Today has been a very stressful and frustrating day for many and for that we are truly sorry.
“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.”
Police Scotland confirmed that officers were called to the event after complaints and “advice was given”.
Images courtesy of Stuart Sinclair/Facebook
