Manchester’s Christmas Market open it’s doors on Friday, kicking off the city’s festive celebrations – but some punters have been left with a bad taste in their mouths.
Attendees trying to get in the seasonal spirit have been shocked to find price hikes of up to £1.50 on the market’s food and drink offerings, with the Berlin currywurst from Witch House rising from £8 to £9.50 and the jumbo piggy wrap from Porky Pig seeing a similar jump.
News of the price changes were met with disdain on social media, who said the “overpriced” food and drink was a “rip off”. Jason Harry wrote on X: “A good sausage costs a quid or less, that’s outrageous”.
Mike Cooke said the prices would be “cheaper at a proper German market in Germany” and Clive Warner said £9.50 sausages were a sign the UK is “no longer fit for purpose”.
Others suggested those in the mood for a sausage would be better off heading to Greggs or even their local Aldi or Lidl and Steven Blackmore said overpriced food and drink “completely ruined the festive season”.
The increase comes from a rise in the rent charged on the huts by Manchester Council, themselves linked to hikes in the cost of energy, security services and infrastructure.
German bratwursts on other stalls have also seen a 50p hike, alongside cheese and smoked sausages, and pints from bars in central Piccadilly Gardens have also been upped by £1 this year, as have non-alcoholic luxury hot chocolates.
Pick’n’mix stalls have not been exempt from the trend either, with 100g of sweets setting customers back 30p more than last year.
Councillor Pat Karney, speaking on behalf of the local authority which manages the Christmas market, told the Manchester Evening News: “Our Christmas Markets are a massive tourist attraction for the city and help bring millions of visitors into Manchester which translates into a much wider economic boost across the whole of the city’s retail and leisure sector.
“Like any other business we regularly review the operating costs involved in delivering our Christmas markets. This year’s rental increases have gone towards meeting rising costs across the board including for infrastructure, security and energy.
“Whilst we always try very hard to keep these costs as low as possible, if our running costs go up we have to pass these increases on to make sure we can keep bringing Manchester’s legendary Christmas Markets to the city.”
Manchester Christmas Market takes place from November 8 to December 22, with craft and gift stalls open from 10am to 8pm daily and food and drink on offer from 11am to 9pm.
