A hapless couple who found themselves locked inside a museum after closing time thought to call the police for help – only to be accused of being hoaxers.
Stephen Robinson, 48, and his wife Michelle, 44, from St Helens, Merseyside, were enjoying a visit to Madame Tussauds in Blackpool when they suddenly noticed the venue had emptied and the lights were turned off.
As they attempted to leave, they were left with the disquieting feeling that ‘all the exits’ had been locked – and they could have to spend hours with only waxworks of the rich and famous to keep them company.
To make matters worse, the pair triggered the alarms inside the building. They attempted to bang on the door and wave at passersby from the windows – but one unknowing bystander simply waved back at them without realising their plight.
Panicking that they could be detained there for a while, the pair called Lancashire Police, only to be met with disbelief.
‘After a while we had to phone the police to help us, I think they thought it was a hoax call at first,’ Mr Robinson told Liverpool Echo of his unexpected adventure, which happened in March.
Fortunately for the Robinsons, the Lancashire tourist attraction comes with a recreated Coronation Street set, including a well-stocked Rovers Return where at least they could access drinks, snacks and ice cream.
But help came sooner than they thought – after contacting the police, a manager arrived to unlock the venue, with the couple able to leave around 30 minutes after their initial call.
Stephen Robinson, 48, and his wife Michelle, 44, from St Helens, Merseyside, found themselves locked inside Madame Tussauds in Blackpool
As they attempted to leave the venue, they were left with the disquieting feeling that ‘all the exits’ had been locked
Help came sooner than the couple thought – after contacting the police, a manager arrived to unlock the venue with the couple able to leave around 30 minutes after their initial call
Waxing lyrical about the incident, Mr Robinson jested: ‘When I heard the Coronation Street theme tune afterwards I was like ‘woah’ – it’s after spending so long with Ken and Deirdre.’
He added: ‘It was alright in the beginning, it was quite funny, but it started getting freaky towards the end.’
Madame Tussauds said it had offered the couple a full refund and offered a complimentary stay.
A spokesperson said that the management team had been on the premises throughout the incident, and ‘the couple concerned were not locked in or left alone in the building at any time.’
It added that Madame Tussauds had been in contact with the guests since their ordeal and that they were satisfied with the outcome.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: ‘We were called at 6.10pm on March 8 to Madame Tussauds, Blackpool, to a report two members of the public were locked in the premises.
‘The manager of the premises attended at 6.34pm to unlock the premises and the members of the public left at 6.44pm.’
The Lancashire tourist attraction comes with a recreated Coronation Street set, including a well-stocked Rovers Return where the couple could access drinks, snacks and ice cream. Pictured: Actress Liz Dawn meets the wax figures of Coronation Street’s Vera and Jack Duckworth (Bill Tarmey) at the Blackpool tourist attraction
