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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Stephen Pitts

Mum says her £1,100 trip to Center Parcs ruined by bird poo on the patio

Mum Daniela Sponder will not return to Center Parcs after her £1,100 holiday was ruined by bird poo.

The 35-year-old and her husband travelled with their two children aged two and 16 weeks from their home in Croydon for the break at the Nottingham resort. But when they arrived at their lodge they discovered that the back patio was covered in bird excrement.

Daniela, who works in HR, complained to guest services, and says she was told that the issue would be sorted within 24 hours and the patio jet washed. When nobody turned up, she complained again and eventually workers turned up to clean it using a bucket, mop and bleach.

Daniela was furious that bleach was used in an area where her children, especially her two-year-old son, would have played. She told Nottinghamshire Live: "When they arrived with that, I thought, 'Are you having a laugh?'.

"The equipment was completely inadequate with inappropriate methods used, there was a lack of common sense and it was a massive health and safety hazard.

"I understand we were near a lake and it can get dirty very quickly, but I just wanted there to be the highest standard of cleaning possible and it was filthy. There was no chance my children were going anywhere near that.

"It was a bit of a disappointing trip in that sense. We were really looking forward to it as we couldn't go abroad this year because of the birth of my daughter. But since all that happened, it's put us right off ever going back."

After returning home on July 8, Daniela raised a complaint with Center Parcs, but she says she has been left "disgusted" at how it has been handled. She wants a "sincere apology" from Center Parcs.

Daniela said: "I did receive a response from them saying that the situation was out of their control, but I thought that's not good enough, and wanted to escalate it to management. But I don't believe this was done and I don't think it was handled in the appropriate manner.

"It's all well and good when money is taken, but basic safety and hygienic matters were not taken into consideration. We're talking about young children being able to play outside but they can't because of the bleach."

Center Parcs has been approached for a response.

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