Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lola Christina Alao

Petition to reopen doomed Willy Wonka experience: 'Bring back meth lab oompa loompas'

Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition to reopen the "beloved" Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow

The petition features a tongue-in-cheek blurb about why the experience should be reopened.

"I, along with countless others, have been deeply affected by the closure of the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience," it reads. "This unique attraction has brought joy and wonder to thousands of visitors since its opening. It is more than just a tourist spot; it's a place where dreams come alive and imaginations run wild.

"Reopening the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience will not only bring back a beloved attraction but also boost local economy by attracting tourists once again.

"This petition is our collective voice asking for what we want – to bring back this magical experience that touched so many lives."

One person from Northern Ireland commented: “BRING BACK METH LAB OOMPA LOOMPAS”, beneath the petition.

Parents, children, and families were sold a "full Wonka" experience for £35.

But in reality, they turned up to a sparsely decorated Glasgow warehouse, decorated with some posters, a rainbow and a bouncy castle. Oompa Loompas were actors struggling to recite lines given to them the night before opening. 

A House of Illuminati spokesperson said it had been “a very stressful and frustrating day for many and for that we are truly sorry”.

He said: “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. We planned a fabulous event and it just did not take shape as planned and for that we are truly sorry, we are devastated at how this has turned out and understand people’s anger and frustration that everyone has had.

“Refunds have already started being issued and the rest should be over the coming days. Again, we are truly sorry to everyone.”

Billy Coull, the director of House of Illuminati, said he was “deeply disappointed”.

He told STV: “I’m so, so sorry to everybody for the sheer and utter disappointment”.

Stuart Sinclair, who had taken his family, said the event was “that bad, it was funny”.

People online are amused, too. On X/Twitter, the jokes and memes rolled in. 

And the jokes rolled in about the petition, too. 

"If I die today, let this be known as my contribution to society," one tweet read. 

Another read: "Let's try to reopen the Willy Wonka experience y'all."

"No child should be denied the disappointment of a shite day oot. Get it signed! #WillyWonka," said another user. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.