British 'Winter Wonderlands'

The one in Brum was started by Germans wasn't it Oliver?

Hm, I thought I read once that the original idea came from a Brit, but this article says the main organiser has been a German for nearly 20 years (I imagine it may not have run every year of those 20):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-30006242

Kurt Stroscher, from Frankfurt's tourist board, organises both cities' markets, and has been in charge of the West Midlands version since its trial run almost 20 years ago.
I don't think so--I think I remember reading that it was a Brit.

There's something very British about these perennial failures. I imagine them being ran by Joe and Eddy Grundy-esque characters.

The main problem (except in the case Charlie has just posted) is probably just small businesses trying to lift far too much, and I wouldn't particularly want to ridicule them, although a major part of it are obviously extravagant promises they can't keep, and in a sense they bring it on themselves. As Howard says, the one in Hyde Park is successful, and I'd completely forgotten about it, but that's undoubtedly backed by bigger money.

I suppose it would be much easier in an area where there is guaranteed snow, so that at least some of the shortcomings might be masked by that, but that won't work in the South.

I think you are impugning the Grundys.
A Grundy WWLand wiuld be inept, but they would not miss the opportunity to sell 'Winter/Xmas Scrumpy' in the queue to Santa's Grotto, and as we all know partially sloshed punters are likely to overlook minor shortcomings. They would also be offering a 'Choose/Catch your own Turkey' stall. Clarry (sp?), would also have been busy baking, with Poacher's pies being a good seller. Again full stomachs equal fewer complaints.
A Grundy WWLand would be a let down, but Eddy would at least have the nous to hire a snow machine.
The famous disaster WWLands are run by cynical crooks more like Nelson Gabriel or for more modern listeners Matt Crawford.