The Company That Prefers To Lose Money

Kerry Johnston and Gareth Foster, of Lowdham, went to Wheelgate Adventure Park in Farnsfield to see the animal attractions.

The couple, who keep chickens, were shocked to be told at the gate they could not go in.

The park says on its website that no all-adult groups are allowed but Miss Johnston, 32, a software tester, said she was angry when the receptionist said they couldn't go in.

They had no children with them. That’s the sole reason?

Is this some kind of joke?

She said: "I couldn't believe it. It just seems ridiculous to me. The car park was almost empty because we went in the first week of September when the kids were all back at school.

"So they were turning away profit when they weren't busy, its just illogical."

Well, the whole ‘paedo panic’ is illogical, so when you start from there, you’re unlikely to wind up anywhere sensible, frankly.

And it is their business, so if they want to turn away trade, that’s up to them...

Last year the couple visited Wheelgate's sister park in Devon and had no problem getting in.

So does Devon not have a problem with unaccompanied adults?

Stranger and stranger…

Mr Foster, 30, a software programmer, said the policy seemed bizarre.

He said: "After we were refused entry, we thought 'what if we couldn't have children?'

"It would be very upsetting for a couple to be turned away if they were unable to have kids. I just think it's very discriminatory."

Nice try at playing the Victimhood Poker game, but I think you’re trumped.

Miss Johnston added: "I can understand that they might have a fear of lone paedophiles in a park full of children, but we are a couple who just have an interest in animals and it's wrong to tell us we can't enjoy something just because we don't have children yet."

She said she had complained to the park in writing but had not received a response.

Frankly, it sounds a lot like a company I would go out of my way to not give any further custom!

Sandy Gyorvari, manager of Wheelgate Park, said: "As a company policy we do not allow any all-adult or all-child groups into the park. We share this policy with other parks such as Gulliver's Kingdom in Matlock Bath.

"The three parks in our group in Mansfield, Melton Mowbray and Devon are all about families interacting, that is our target audience as all our rides are geared at children."

But what about your other one in Devon?

Oh, she has an answer for that.

"The Devon park has a different policy because it has a camp site attached, but at our park we rarely get people complaining because most people come with children.

"Our entry restrictions are clearly sign posted on our website and brochures in an attempt to avoid this confusion.

"We are sorry Miss Johnston and Mr Foster were disappointed but we will continue to stick to our company policy."

And you’ll continue to lose money.

That’s up to you, of course. But if you go under, don’t be surprised to find no-one shedding any tears.