Tui has apologised after an angry customer erected scaffolding outside one of its agency branches claiming the holiday giant ruined his wedding.
Jason Cooper organised the protest in front of the Tui store in Broadstairs in Kent after booking a venue in Zante for the ceremony with the company.
But when he arrived on the Greek island days before his wedding, he discovered the location was only able to hold less than half the number of guests promised.
He erected the first poles outside the shop yesterday morning but the store responded by calling the police to the public protest.
Officers arrived but decided not to take action.
The 37-year-old, who runs Margate-based Technical Scaffolding, had booked the two-week holiday and wedding for 100 guests in Zante.
But when the couple and their party arrived at the venue they had booked for their wedding in September, the venue they had been given could only hold 45 guests.
Cooper told kentoneline: “The reps said they had nothing to do with weddings. We spent a week trying to find a new venue at our own expense.
“We booked everything with Tui to save headaches at the other end.”
He planned the protest after claiming the travel company took three months to get back to him. He took direct action when he said his complaints were dismissed again.
The company has now said it will be offering a full refund and apologised to the couple.
Tui said in a statement: “We would like to sincerely apologise to Mr and Mrs Cooper and their party for the mistakes made with their wedding booking.
“We understand this would have been a stressful experience and extremely disappointing for the customers during what should have been a very special time.
“We are carrying out a full internal review into what happened, both during the booking process and also since the customers have returned home.
“We are in contact with Mr and Mrs Cooper to apologise and we have offered a full refund of their holiday and extra costs.”
Cooper said police had been called but officers said because the scaffolding did not block the path and because his protest was on private land any dispute was with the landowner rather than police.
Posters were also put up, carrying the travel firm’s logo and the claim: “TUI ruined my wedding.”
The first sign was allegedly pulled down by store staff – but Cooper had a spare sign made and was able to put it up again.
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Kent Police was called to a report of a dispute outside commercial premises in Margate Road, Broadstairs at 9.53am on Thursday 17 January 2019.
“Officers attended and it was established the dispute relates to a civil matter.
“While at the scene, a report of criminal damage caused to a sign was made to officers. Initial enquiries into the reported damage are ongoing.”