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Instead of the promised “forty five minute grotto experience like no other”, the Santa South West Christmas Village greeted guests with a few fairground rides and a snow machine which soon
broke. Trader Sophie Futcher, 25, who paid for a pitch for her Sophie’s Cakes business, said the event was “such a disappointment”. She shared a video of the Christmas Village, which opened
on Saturday at the Royal Bath and West Showground, looking distinctly un-magical. She said: “It was basically an indoor market, there were six fairground rides and a snow machine which broke
on the Sunday.” Adverts for the event showed a “winter wonderland” with decorated wooden chalets selling festive treats and a large ice rink and snow-dusted funfair. But Ms Futcher said the
reality was a far cry from the village’s Facebook page. She said: “I was expecting wooden chalets, all decorated, like the pictures on their Facebook page, but there was none of that. “The
traders themselves made a real effort to decorate the stalls but I feel like the organisers had this vision and no idea how to achieve it. “If people want to pay £2 to get in and look around
the market fair enough, but I think if they come expecting the magical Christmas experience that was advertised they will be disappointed.” Some disgruntled traders even reportedly left
during the opening weekend, despite forking out nearly £2,000. Ms Futcher said: “I paid £196 for a pitch and I've spent into the thousands on stock, decorations and preparing for this
event since they told me I had a pitch back in August. “I haven't even made half of my pitch money back.” Members of the public were equally disappointed. Roxanne Gomes said she paid
over £112 for her family to experience a few of the activities on offer, but was gutted when it didn't match the adverts. She called the organisers: “a rogue company conning families
out of their hard-earned cash at the most precious time of the year, offering a highly over-priced and falsely advertised 'magical Christmas' event that was no more than your local
school fair could offer.” According to the event's website - entry to the village plus ice skating and Santa adventure costs £107 for 2 adults and two children aged 3-15. Comments
online have referred to the event as “c**pland” and “blunderland.” Express.co.uk have contacted Santa South West Christmas Village for comment.