Anyone heard of magicwoodland (Stephen BIRCHALL)

smallzoo2

Hi
My daughter booked 5 tickets for 3rd Jan for magic woodland at the Blakemere in Northwich, Cheshire for herself her partner her mum and dad and sister. Unfortunately she tested positive for covid so has to isolate and as we did see her we are isolating too. She phones the company today and they were extremely rude and said they won't talk about any covid issues until after 4th!

Does she have any rights for her money back and has anyone heard of the Company or Stephen BIRCHALL the director ( also director of about 15 other companies) apparently they are very bad at refunds
Thanks

Jeremy535897

They are mostly shut under Tier 4 restrictions anyway. See their website https://www.blakemerevillage.com/

They should therefore be offering refunds, although they might start by offering vouchers for future visits.

Grumpy_chap

I assume you mean this "magical woodland":
https://www.magicalwoodland.com/

sheramber

 from their facebook page yesterday
Following the latest Government announcement and guidelines, the Christmas at the Magical Woodland event will be in full operation and will continue as planned to 3rd January 2021

smallzoo2

That's the confusing bit but even if they were open which I can't work out do you think my daughter should get a refund as she has covid herself or is that wishful thinking 

Grumpy_chap

smallzoo2 said:

That's the confusing bit but even if they were open which I can't work out do you think my daughter should get a refund as she has covid herself or is that wishful thinking 

If they are closed, she should get a refund.  They seem to be open, though it is not clear.
What do the terms and conditions say about your right to cancel?  If they are open, and your daughter was ill with anything other than COVID, would she be entitled to a refund?  I imagine being ill with COVID is the same as being ill with anything else.
Is is a day-trip, or would she have to stay near there, away from home?  If so, it may be covered by an annual travel insurance policy.

Jeremy535897

I can't see how they can stay open under Tier 4, as they don't appear to come within any of the exceptions. The magical woodland site does not seem to have been updated for the latest Tier changes.

sheramber

Exercise and recreation

People can also exercise outdoors or visit some public outdoor places, such as parks, the countryside accessible to the public, public gardens or outdoor sports facilities. You can continue to do unlimited exercise alone, or in a public outdoor place with your household, support bubble, or with one other person if you maintain social distancing. You should follow the guidance on meeting others safely.

Jeremy535897

(4) A place is a public outdoor place for the purposes of this paragraph if it is a public outdoor place other than a fairground or funfair and—

(a)no payment is required by any member of the public to access that place, or

(b)the place falls within one of the following categories—

(i)outdoor sportsgrounds or sports facilities,

(ii)botanical gardens,

(iii)gardens or grounds of a castle, stately home, historic house or other heritage site.

Maybe it can squeeze into the last one, which is why I said "don't appear to come", but the main site for Blakemere says it is closed except for shops selling essential items.

smallzoo2

Thanks for everyone's comments. I will write a strong email to them and let you know what their reply is
Thanks again

elsien

If you look at their Facebook page, the event is still running, they are telling people it is ok to travel from anywhere and they are refusing to give any refunds. Someone posted to say they’d been tonight.  

Lots of people trying to sell their tickets on - it seems unlikely she will get anything back if they’re open.