UK Christmas market slammed as ‘overpriced Poundland stuff in wooden huts’
- UK Hidden Gems
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The festive season is officially here, with Christmas markets beginning to pop up across the country.
This Christmas Market opened its doors to visitors last Friday, November 7, and will run until December 22.
But while the city has promised six weeks of “festive fun and shopping,” many early visitors say this year’s event hasn’t quite lived up to the hype.
Stretching across Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, the famous market usually draws huge crowds of both tourists and locals. However, this year’s 274 stalls, selling everything from food and drink to handmade gifts, have left many feeling disappointed.
It’s already been packed with visitors, but not all the attention has been positive. Many people have taken to social media to complain about the rising prices.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the cost of a pint of lager has gone up by 50p compared to last year, now setting people back £6.50.
Prosecco prices have also risen, with a glass now costing between £6.50 and £7 depending on the stall, while cocktails are priced at £9.50, £1 more than last year.
A TikTok video showing the steep costs of some items has sparked a wave of complaints online.
The video highlighted a stall selling hand-decorated plastic wine glasses for £29, small Christmas cottage ornaments for £19, and even close-up photos of people’s eyes for £27.99.
One unhappy viewer commented: “It’s just a bunch of garden sheds selling Poundland stuff at ridiculous prices.”
Another visitor shared their experience, saying: “I went yesterday. It was overcrowded, expensive and just odd.
One guy was blasting out Old McDonald while another was singing Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright, not Christmassy at all. Edinburgh’s market is still the best.”
A third added: “We go just to walk around the wooden huts and laugh at the prices. I thought that’s what everyone did.”
Still, some defended the event, suggesting the prices reflect the effort that goes into the products.
One person commented: “Yeah, it’s pricey, but it’s a market, most of the stuff is handmade or cooked fresh. The prices are high, but that’s the way it is.”
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
Download the official APP!
Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.
Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.
