Children expecting to meet Santa during a Christmas event at a hotel in Liverpool were left in tears. They learned that Santa won't be able to make his appearance because he's "too busy."
Guests at the Shankly Hotel in Liverpool witnessed some children as old as 6 who were howling and wailing as they were told there will be no Santa Claus. The broken-hearted kids even brought a list of toys they would love to get from Father Christmas.
The failed event didn't only affect the children as some parents were fuming mad at the event organizers. According to MDaily Mirror, families who were looking forward to Santa Claus had to book in advance and then line up and wait for more than three hours. The event took place at the hotel's rooftop but everyone, including the children, endured the cold.
Parents stormed the hotel's Facebook page to voice their disgust after learning Santa canceled out on the kids. They said that it was evident the hotel did not prepare for the onslaught of visitors and their children. Though they were promised refunds and rebooking, one mom said that this can't cover for the devastation that the children felt. "[This] is supposed to be the most magical time for them," Laura Smith wrote in her review of the Shankly Hotel's event.
Some guests who didn't leave the hotel right away, however, were able to finally see Santa at the foyer, as per Daily Express. But this took place way after the meet's original schedule.
Shankly Hotel is managed by Signature Living. A representative admitted that they had been overwhelmed by the number of attendees despite knowing that the Santa meet is popular with families year after year. To ensure that this won't happen again, the hotel will be adding Mrs. Claus and the elves to future meets for the rest of the season to help Santa welcome the guests.
