'Tears all round' as 'DISTRAUGHT' children miss out on Build-a-Bear Workshop special offer in Leeds

READ: Chaos at Leeds shopping centre as parents queue for five hours for Build-a-Bear Workshop bargains

The premium soft toy company were overwhelmed with shoppers with queues of up to five hours reported.

Similar scenes unfolded all over the country on a day Build-a-Bear Workshop had intended to launch be a celebratory promotional offer.

The idea was that people pay a pound for every year of their child's age, so if the child was two, they would pay £2 for a toy, which is a massively reduced rate.

But some people weren't happy after being turned away.

READ: Build-a-Bear Workshop chaos: Leeds store 'has enough bears' for queuing customers

Jo Hill said on Facebook: "Two very upset children, it's her birthday today so was meant to be a treat for both. However after being turned away and later discovering they'd opened the queue there were tears all round. Two very unhappy children. Birthday girl and sister very distraught."

Kirsty Louise Priestley added: "We have just come back. It was mental. We were going to get my daughter a bear for her birthday. We went about half nine this morning and the queue was mental then."

Jonathan Pickles said: "It was manic we got there at 12 and was told they were shut so I went to the queue outside and waited near it and the security said they had shut but then allowed one of the mangers friends in the queue.

"Everyone kicked off so they reopened the queue."

READ: It turns out Build-a-Bear Workshop's 'Pay Your Age' offer is available all year round

However, it wasn't bad news for everyone.

Katie Oldfield said on Facebook: "I only queued for 40 mins so can’t complain. It was worth it to hear all the arguments."

Fi Boynton-Scoines added: "It wasn’t that bad to be honest. We went for lunch time and there was a big queue but it wasn’t as big as this all day. We still couldn’t be bothered waiting though."

In a statement, Build-A-Bear said: "The response to our Pay Your Age Day event at all of our UK locations has been overwhelming and unprecedented in our 21-year history.

"The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and, per local authorities, queues are at capacity and we cannot accept additional guests due to extreme crowds and safety concerns.

"We understand our guests are disappointed, and we are working to address the situation. We will reach out directly to our valued guests as soon as possible."

Read more at: https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/kids-left-in-tears-as-turned-away-parents-fume-over-build-a-bear-carnage-at-meadowhall-1-9249338