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NEWS
Lapland park pair to face trial
POSTED 03 Nov 2009 . BY Tom Walker
Brothers Victor and Henry Mears will face trial in connection with the Lapland New Forest park, which caused a local uproar in December 2008.

The pair face nine charges of misleading consumers over what they called a 'magical Christmas experience' that they had set up at Matchams on the Hampshire Dorset border. Appearing at Bournemouth Magistrates, the pair plead not guilty and the case was referred to Bournemouth Crown Court.

The Lapland New Forest attraction, owned and operated by the brothers, was forced to shut down after less than a week and after more than 2,000 complaints were lodged with local councils and the RSPCA within the first four days of operation.

The attraction's website promised visitors a "place where dreams come true", with a "bustling christmas market, seasonal foods, a magical light tunnel and live animals".

After paying up to £30 for entry, visitors found that the attraction consisted of fair ground rides most associated with travelling fairs, a pack of husky dogs chained to their kennels, a replica of a polar bear and a collection of burger stalls and fish and chips stands.

The charges have been brought by Dorset Trading Standards and the brothers are accused of misleading consumers through advertisements in newspapers, on a website and in flyers.

MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
+ More news   
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General Manager, The Needles
Heritage Great Britain
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Job location: Isle of Wight , United Kingdom
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Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
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Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
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Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

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29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
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NEWS
Lapland park pair to face trial
POSTED 03 Nov 2009 . BY Tom Walker
Brothers Victor and Henry Mears will face trial in connection with the Lapland New Forest park, which caused a local uproar in December 2008.

The pair face nine charges of misleading consumers over what they called a 'magical Christmas experience' that they had set up at Matchams on the Hampshire Dorset border. Appearing at Bournemouth Magistrates, the pair plead not guilty and the case was referred to Bournemouth Crown Court.

The Lapland New Forest attraction, owned and operated by the brothers, was forced to shut down after less than a week and after more than 2,000 complaints were lodged with local councils and the RSPCA within the first four days of operation.

The attraction's website promised visitors a "place where dreams come true", with a "bustling christmas market, seasonal foods, a magical light tunnel and live animals".

After paying up to £30 for entry, visitors found that the attraction consisted of fair ground rides most associated with travelling fairs, a pack of husky dogs chained to their kennels, a replica of a polar bear and a collection of burger stalls and fish and chips stands.

The charges have been brought by Dorset Trading Standards and the brothers are accused of misleading consumers through advertisements in newspapers, on a website and in flyers.

MORE NEWS
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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©Cybertrek 2026

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