Lego fans are fuming over an event that’s been compared to the “pathetic” Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience with many punters demanding a refund from the woeful day out.
What was billed as the “world’s largest brick festival”, Brick Fest Live in Birmingham has left punters disappointed and angry, who have slammed the event as a “rip off”.
Held in the city’s National Exhibition Centre on May 26-27, the event promised “a jaw-dropping collection of brick creations from across the globe”, which would be “mind-blowing” and amaze “adults and children”. However, Lego fans have compared it to the disastrously lame Willy’s Chocolate event in Glasgow that went viral earlier this year.
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(Image: Maureen Halsey / SWNS)
Brick Fest Live began in the US and is not supported or authorised by Lego. Ticket-holders described a gravely underwhelming event housed in a cavernous room containing just a few displays.
Footage from the event shows a massive room with several small Lego installations dotted across a gunmetal grey flooring of scratch marks and sticky tape.
There were some life-size models, a ‘Brick Pit’ to play in, brick mosaics to add to and piles of loose bricks for visitors to build their own creation, as well as a bouncy castle and treble tables to sit at.
(Image: Maureen Halsey / SWNS)
With some Lego super fans forking out for a VIP ticket or making a considerable trek over the bank holiday to get to the event, punters are now calling for a refund.
Steven Halsey, 70, from Corby who visited on Sunday, May 26, said the massive room dwarfed the sparse attractions it had on offer.
He added: “There was nothing there, it was a total empty space really. I have more Lego in my house than they have there.”
(Image: Steven Halsey / SWNS)
Mr Halsey, who is disabled and relies on the care of his wife, Maureen, 67, said he had made a 110 mile round trip to see the displays but was left raging instead.
He added: “It was disgusting, they are money grabbers. You could be in and out within five minutes. I have seen better displays in village halls.”
(Image: Steven Halsey / SWNS)
Among the furious fan complaining on social media, one angry punter ranted: “Absolute RIP OFF!! Complete con, and I’m £75 out of pocket! Walked round in 10 minutes. NEC should be ashamed of themselves for hosting such a poor quality event too! I’m determined to get a refund, they are taking the mick!”
Another fumed “Went today a total rip off, wonka all over again, very disappointed”, while a third visitor described the event as a “total con”.
(Image: Steven Halsey / SWNS)
Another complained: “ We were there less than an hour , and that was just to drink our coffee.”
Brick Fest Live and the NEC have been contacted for comment.
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