Brits Are Paying For £15 Hog Roast Rolls In A Cost Of Christmas Crisis
Cash strapped Britons across the UK have reported being charged sky-high prices for drinks and food Christmas markets including £15 hog roast rolls and £12 chips helping some stall owners 'earn over £80,000 in just two months'.
Residents in Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham have all reported seeing the cost of their annual trip to their local market soar this year in an un-festive continuation of the cost of living crisis.
Visitors to London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland have also taken to social media to share their pricey experiences at the attraction, including 'potatoes on sticks' costing £6.50 and nine chestnuts totaling £5.
The infamously expensive city attraction is also subject to an initial £7.50 entry fee making any trip there one that dents the wallet.
MailOnline spoke to customers at four Christmas markets across the UK to get a flavour of how expensive the average annual trip has become.
MailOnline spoke to customers at four Christmas markets across the UK to get a flavour of how expensive the average annual trip has become
NEWCASTLE: Visitors to Newcastle Christmas market have complained of sky high prices
NEWCASTLE: Punters at the market have reported paying as much as £12 for festive styled chips
NEWCASTLE: Families heading for fun at the stalls in Newcastle city centre joked that they shed a tear when they had to reach for their wallets
NEWCASTLE: Daniel Cannon and Nicole Gingell were forced to share a £9 hotdog due to the price
Newcastle
Customers visiting Newcastle's bustling Christmas market have hit out at its rip-off prices which include £12 for chips and £9 for a sausage.
Families heading for fun at the stalls in Newcastle city centre joked that they shed a tear when they had to reach for their wallets.
The city's Grainger Street and Grey Street is home to almost 30 stalls but locals say the rising prices, combined with parking fees, makes it an extortionate day out.
At one hut, foodies can get their hands on a portion of 'Chrimbo fries' which includes chips topped with pulled pork, bacon and trimmings, but it will set them back £12.
Locals can also wind down at the enclosed tipi-style Moosenwirt bar, where mulled wine and cider costs £6.50.
Elsewhere, you can find a Christmas Dinner crepe and a Currywurst sausage, both for £9 at different stalls.
For those not wanting an alcoholic option, one stall is selling Nutella and biscoff hot chocolates, which come at £4.50 each.
NEWCASTLE: Lewis Grant had forked out almost £30 on two Greek gyro wraps for him and his fiancé Shannon Tracey
NEWCASTLE: Also on sale at the market was this fetching hot dog for £9
Off-shore worker Lewis Grant had forked out almost £30 on two Greek gyro wraps for him and his fiancé Shannon Tracey.
Lewis, 29, said: 'It is quite a price when you stop and think about it.
'It only comes around once a year, but I paid £27 which I think is extortionate.
'We pop to the markets once or twice a year but I don't think we could come any more than that.
'To be honest I try not to think about it when they tell you how much it is. I just tap my card and have a little cry inside.
'You have to factor in car parking as well. We would usually try to get the Metro in but not everyone does that.
'I do think they need to look at the prices at the stalls because they are high. It shouldn't really be nearly £30 for two wraps.'
The couple, who have four children between them, say they couldn't justify visiting the markets as a whole family.
Shannon, 26, who owns her own cleaning business, said: 'The prices are high. We wouldn't come with the kids, put it that way.
'We haven't actually done many festive activities with them this year so far because of the price of everything seems to be going up - it's shocking.
'If we bring all of them then it's four times a hot chocolate and four times some food so it all adds up.
'It was me who suggested coming here, Lewis wouldn't normally be that interested.
'We had a hospital appointment so we thought we may as well pop in and have a look.
'I don't think we will be buying any of the goods, we'll only try the food because of the cost.'
Despite the popularity of the festive season, Newcastle's market has shrunk in size in 2023 compared to previous years, when stalls snaked around the Eldon Square shopping centre.
NEWCASTLE: Despite the high prices the market is as busy as it's ever been
NEWCASTLE: Peter Davison enjoying some time off work with a £5.50 pint at the Moosenwirt
Daniel Cannon, 29, had his partner Nicole Gingell, 27, originally from County Durham, shared a German Bratwurst between them to cut down on spending.
Finance worker Daniel said: 'We've just spent £9 on the sausage which is quite expensive.
'It's nice but I would say it's probably worth around £6.50. That's what I would be happy paying.
'It could price people out of coming. We chose to have one to share between us to try cut down and save on the cost.
'If it was a little bit cheaper we would have got one each but they've priced it too high that we haven't bothered doing that.
'They would then have made a little bit more money out of us if we could afford one each.'
Nicole, who works as a pre-school teacher, added: 'We went to the Durham Christmas markets recently and that was just £5 to get in it.
'It wasn't great because there wasn't much choice but at least here we can move around and it's free.
'There is more choice here but the prices are still high and I can see why it could possibly put some people off.'
However, not everyone was bothered about the price, including Peter Davison who was enjoying some time off work with a £5.50 pint at the Moosenwirt.
The 62-year-old events photographer said: 'I do think the market is poor compared to the ones at York.
'But what you pay at the markets is similar to other pubs and restaurants in the city - it's all quite similar now but it's still expensive.
'I don't mind it too much. People should have the attitude that you work hard, play hard.
'At this time of year, it gets you out of the house and gets you some fresh air.'
Liverpool
LIVERPOOL: Meanwhile in Liverpool's central Christmas market, the general feeling is that while things are pricey - they could be worse
LIVERPOOL: The market located outside St George's Hall is home to a raft of stalls selling hot and cold food items as well as seasonal beverages
LIVERPOOL: Nicola Wiliams, her partner Andrew Evans and her daughter Cara all agreed it could have been worse
Meanwhile in Liverpool's central Christmas market, the general feeling is that while things are pricey the reputation of the festive attractions means 'you expect to pay more'.
The market located outside St George's Hall is home to a raft of stalls selling hot and cold food items as well as seasonal beverages.
The cost of a beer is £6.50, which is high for the city, whilst a cup of mulled wine will set you back £8.50.
If punters are feeling peckish, they can sample the delights of the festive Bavarian cuisine including a £5 portion of roast chestnuts or a £12 chicken gyros wrap.
Stephanie Etherington, 67, has visited the market with her daughter Laura Bird, 39, and porn games grandson Bobby 3 and thinks that all things considered they've got off lightly.
'I would expect to pay a bit more to be honest,' said Stephanie.
'I think some people will be be priced out but most will just go with it.
'The Christmas Market is always a bit expensive, but they're saying it's bigger and better this year.
'Personally, I do think it's a bit pricey but you kind of expect to pay more.'
LIVERPOOL: If punters are feeling peckish, they can sample the delights of the festive Bavarian cuisine including a £5 portion of roast chestnuts or a £12 chicken gyros wrap
LIVERPOOL: A German sausage has onions added at the Christmas Market
LIVERPOOL: A portion of salt and pepper chicken with fries was being sold for £11
Nicola Wiliams, 52, and her partner Andrew Evans, 42, had come from Pwhelli, North Wales, with her daughter Cara, 16 and agree that Liverpool's offering has been a pleasant surprise.
Cara, who'd bought a portion of halloumi fries for £7, said: 'They're OK, but I would have liked a few more.
'They're a bit expensive for what you get.'
Young couple Declan Curran, 25, and Alannah Scott, 26, had flown in from Belfast.
Declan said: 'It's our first time here and we've been weighing up all the prices.
'We expected to pay a bit more but the prices are more or less the same as the Christmas market back home.
'I saw they're selling salt and pepper chicken with fries for £11.
'But it comes in small box and you could buy a proper meal in a pub or somewhere else for that.'
Alannah added: 'There's lots of choice here.
'But we'll be walking all around before deciding what to buy.
'Some things do look at bit pricey.'
LIVERPOOL: Louise Evans her dad's (far left) birthday with her husband Richard (right) were all enjoying German currywurst and bratwurst costing £8 each
LIVERPOOL: in the market the cost of a beer is £6.50, which is high for the city, whilst a cup of mulled wine will set you back £8.50
Louise Evans, 49, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, had come to celebrate her dad's birthday with her husband Richard Evans, 52.
They were all enjoying German currywurst and bratwurst costing £8 each.
'I've not come this Christmas market before,' said Louise.
'But I think the prices are similar at most of them.
'My view is I've chosen to come here so I know I'm going to be paying a more than usual.
'I don't mind spending a bit more, especially as its a special occasion.
'We're not going away this year, so we decided to bring my dad here for his birthday.
'But the prices will put some people off.'
'Having said that, my currywurst tastes really good.'
But her dad Charles Currin, 75, joked: '£8! I thought she paid that for the three of us.'
Kath Wynne, 48, her daughter-in-law Erin Bullick, 19, and daughter Maimey, were visiting from Llandudno.
Kath said: 'We just paid £12 for two mulled ciders which seems a bit overpriced.
'Some things are more expensive but we're treating it as a one-off and you wouldn't want to come here every day.
'I suppose if you live here the higher prices will put some people off.
'Also, if you're not working or on a tight budget you would find it expensive.'
Manchester
MANCHESTER: In wet and grey Manchester, grim weather did not discourage revellers from flocking to the Christmas markets
MANCHESTER: Prices at the market can be high with some punters seen paying £15 for hog rolls
MANCHESTER: (L to R) Suzanne Cummins, Becky Whitley & Rachel Bignall were not impressed with the prices of their drinks
In wet and grey Manchester, grim weather did not discourage revellers from flocking to the Christmas markets - and neither did the sky-high prices.
A hog roll at the market will set you back a massive £15 and for £10 there is the festive pig mac 'n' cheese topped with maple glazed pigs in blankets, with sage and onion stuffing, drizzled with cranberry sauce.
Other prices include a £13.50 chicken waffle and a bagel for £9.50 at the markets which extend across Cathedral Gardens and Piccadilly Gardens.
Mulled wine costs £5.50, a stein is £12, with an additional £8 refundable deposit for the glass, prosecco is priced £6.50, and a double gin with a mixer is £8.50.
But that's not the only sting in the tail as Suzanne Cummins found out the hard way.