Bury St Edmunds Christmas Spectacular slammed by visitors

The Christmas Spectacular Bury St Edmunds event kicked off on Friday, November 29, on land at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, and was set to run for three weekends in the lead-up to Christmas. 

It has now been cancelled, with a message on the booking page stating it is "due to the weather conditions and the forecast for the following weekends".

Organisers say all ticket holders will be contacted directly. 

The site on Monday following the cancellation announcement (Image: Newsquest) "We sincerely apologise for any disappointment this has caused," they wrote. 

Amanda Wilby took her two sons, aged two and five, to the event on Sunday, December 1, along with her friend and her friend's daughters, aged one and six. 

She said there was only one ride which she claims "didn't look safe" and led her son to ask her "mummy, where are all the rides?" 

"The reindeer’s looked extremely sad and uncomfortable having such a small enclosure that wasn’t big enough for them to walk around," she continued.

"The Santa's grotto looked like an abandoned train carriage so we decided to not go in.

"The ice skating rink was tiny and nothing like the photo they used to advertise."

The ice rink at the event (Image: Lisa Fisher) Many social media users have begun to compare the event to the viral Willy's Chocolate Experience that took place in Glasgow earlier this year and provoked disappointment from visitors who felt it didn't measure up to images that were used for promotion. 

"I hadn’t heard of the Willy Wonka event, but looked it up, but yes that is a fair representation," said Ms Wilby.

She said she has sent a message to the event organisers on social media, as well as an email, to voice her concerns and ask for a refund but has had no response yet. 

She added that the tickets cost £15 for four, with the two children under three getting in for free.

"I felt incredibly disappointed, we only lasted there for 15 minutes as that was how long it took to do the crafts and there wasn’t anything else to keep the kids entertained," she said.

"I felt really sorry for the food vendors that were literally stood around doing nothing as it seemed everyone that was arriving was also leaving." 

Carly Petts attended the event on November 30 with her husband and three children aged two, nine and 13. 

She said it was unclear how to get into the event as there was "no signage" and the path was "pitch black."

She said: "The ice rink was tiny, the food was overpriced. It said rides on the advert but there was only a small Ferris Wheel.

"Christmas trees were randomly placed with no decorations on. Just nothing to do and so underwhelming and not festive," she added.

She said the event had been the family's Christmas treat but she "wished they had stayed at home."

The event was organised by an external body who rented the space from the rugby club. 

Inside one of the tents (Image: Lisa Fisher) The club's chair Craig Germeney said the situation is a "real shame" and added: "We as a rugby club have to be diverse and find ways to generate an income to support the rising costs.

"We worked with this organiser before on other events and it's been successful."

He said the cancellation of the event following this weekend shows the organiser has "done the right thing" and said he understands they will be getting in touch with ticket holders in due course. 

And Lucy Roper-Liggett, who runs Lucy's Princess Parties and was set to appear at the event, said she too was 'gutted' by the experience. 

"We were booked to do five shows over the Christmas period which were all written by myself and prepared and ready to go," she said.

She said she is now looking into potentially offering a free show for children who had a ticket to see the princesses and can't get a refund.

The event organisers have been approached for comment.