FURIOUS dad and mom have slammed “ridiculous” two-and-a-half hour queues at a Santa’s grotto as one mum referred to as the police to complain about overcrowding.
Punters forked out £14 per particular person to expertise the Christmas occasion held at Belvoir Fortress, Leicestershire.
Punters forked out £14 to expertise the Christmas occasion at Belvoir Fortress, LeicestershireCredit score: Rex Options
Indignant dad and mom complained of lengthy queues, with one mum so frightened about overcrowding that she referred to as the cops.
The fortress has since been compelled to shut following recommendation from the native authorities.
Lucinda Smith, of Northamptonshire, is eight months pregnant and was compelled to attend two hours in a queue with nowhere to take a seat.
The 39-year-old mentioned it was “ridiculous” as she, her husband, and youngsters ultimately gave up.
“We thought it could be a little bit of a deal with however we simply wasted the entire day,” she mentioned.
Rebecca Leigh, 41, branded the occasion a “shambles” as she waited in a queue for two-and-a-half hours.
“It has been such a garbage yr and this was one good factor to look ahead to but it surely was actually poor and badly organised,” she mentioned.
Rachel Nash, a carer from Corby, Northamptonshire, mentioned she felt “embarrassed” that she took family members there as all it concerned was “shuffling” down a hall.
“It felt like they have been simply making an attempt to ram as many individuals as they may in. It was an absolute shame,” the 55-year-old mentioned.
Leicestershire Police confirmed officers attended after a member of the general public reported social distancing considerations, however no fines or warnings have been issued.
Cops mentioned they spoke to the organisers of the occasion, who informed them marshals have been there to handle customer numbers, and friends have been being requested to put on face masks the place potential.
A spokeswoman for Belvoir Fortress mentioned: “We apologise unreservedly to all friends inconvenienced or upset by our Santa’s Grotto expertise.
“Because of administrative points, it fell approach beneath acceptable requirements and we might be refunding in full anybody who bought tickets for Saturday 12 December.”
The grade one listed constructing dates again to the Nineteenth century and is the seat of the eleventh Duke of Rutland David Manners.
The Nineteenth-century fortress has been compelled to shut following recommendation from the native authorities Credit score: Alamy
