by Anna White

awhite@thekmgroup.co.uk

A Kent attraction has reopened for Christmas - less than a year after it fell into administration.

Lapland UK, in Lamberhurst, opened its festive gates on Saturday and directors Alison and Mike Battle are confident they will stay open after ticket sales increased this season.

The attraction’s future looked bleak when it was forced into administration in January but things are now looking bright with a new business plan and financial backing.

The site is being run by a new company, LUK Events Ltd, and ticket prices have been slashed by up to 40 per cent compared to last year.

Lapland UK’s plunge into administration wasn’t helped by severe snowfall in December of last year, which caused the park to close on December 18 and 19.

The majority of families who had bought tickets for those two days were given a full refund and were offered to re-book the following week.

When the company was placed in administration, the customers who had not yet received a refund were told to contact firm Kallis & Co.

To date, 123 families have registered with the company and 118 people have accepted complimentary tickets to this year’s event.

Four families have turned down the ticket offer and one other is still to respond. This does not affect their right to a refund.

A spokesman for Kallis & Co said customer refunds are "pending the settlement of Lapland’s insurance claim for any losses incurred due to the closure of the business due to adverse weather".

Because of the 2009 closures, LUK Events has an agreement with See Tickets to manage all sales for this winter season.

See Tickets’ policy is to offer all customers a 100 per cent guaranteed refund if the event is cancelled.

Families have also been offered the option to purchase an industry standard insurance policy to guard against unforeseen difficulties that would prevent them from attending this or any other event or show.

A spokeswoman for Lapland UK said: "We know from direct correspondence with our customers that there is enormous goodwill for LaplandUK and most just want to ensure their children are able to experience their magical Christmas day out."

For a full review of Lapland UK, read this week’s What’s On magazine.