30 May 2024 , 14:30
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An event for Lego fanatics hailed as the 'world's largest brick festival' has been slammed by visitors who compared it to Glasgow’s Willy Wonka fiasco.
The £35-a-ticket Bank Holiday event promised "a jaw-dropping collection of brick creations from across the globe". But fuming visitors say they were greeted with a "bleak and empty" aircraft hanger-like room at Birmingham’s NEC. One Lego fan claimed they had seen "better displays in village halls" and said they have more bricks in their own home. Hundreds of people flocked to the Brick Fest Live event after being promised "mind-blowing" attractions.
But visitors said the reality was a sparse offering inside a giant room which left them "disgusted" and "underwhelmed". Fans are now demanding refunds after travelling far and wide to the event, which is not endorsed by Lego.
The Lego brick event was a huge disappointment to fans who had travelled far and wide to be there (Steven Halsey / SWNS)Disappointed Steven Halsey, 70, from Corby, Northants, visited the event with his wife on Sunday. He said: "There was nothing there, it was a total empty space really.
"I have more Lego in my house than they have there. It was disgusting, they are money grabbers. You could be in and out within five minutes. I have seen better displays in village halls. I am sure Lego would not be too happy."
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The event was apparently "bleak and empty" and could be completed in around 5 minutes (BirminghamLive/BPM MEDIA)Footage from the event shows a vast expanse with Lego installations dotted across a gunmetal grey floor. There were life-size models, a 'Brick Pit' to play in, brick mosaics and piles of loose bricks for visitors to build their own creation. Other dissatisfied customers took to social media to label the event an "absolute rip off", and a "massive scam".
A Lego influencer called Kevin, who goes by @blockpartyuk on TikTok, is among those who has been vocal in his criticism of the event online. After spending £70 for two VIP tickets, Kevin became upset that Brick Fest Live had promised an event "for Lego fans of all ages".
A failed Lego-themed event has drawn comparison to Glasgow's viral Willy Wonka fiasco (Steven Halsey / SWNS)In a video posted to TikTok, he said: "It’s just so much space and piles of bricks. There’s a massive sign out front that describes it as the UK’s biggest brick festival."
Kevin urged his followers not to attend, describing the event as a "con" and "overpriced". In response to his post, a user commented: "Reminds me of the Willy Wonka fiasco."
The whole ordeal reminded some of the disastrous Willy Wonka event that took place in Glasgow earlier this year (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)
The notorious Willy Wonka event went viral on social media after angry visitors shared it online (Jenny Fogarty / SWNS)Previous Brick Fest Live UK events were held in Edinburgh and Milton Keynes earlier this month. The spectacle, which Lego does not sponsor, authorise or endorse, originates in the USA and describes itself as "the world’s largest hands-on brick event".
Lego has been approached for a comment.