What do Christmas market traders say about rising prices?

ByHaider Saleem and Lydia FlavellNorth WestReporting fromManchester Christmas markets

Mention Christmas markets these days and the conversation often turns to rising prices – from £8 bratwursts, £11 Yorkshire pudding wraps and even £5 for a few marshmallow sticks.

But what do the people behind the stalls think? Are they benefiting from the hikes or are their own profits being squeezed?

Traders at Manchester’s Christmas markets told the BBC they were feeling the pressure of increasing bills for staff, ingredients and energy, with some saying they were making less money despite charging more.

One trader said it costs at least £4,000 a day to run each her four stalls, while another has cut prices to keep customers coming back.

Nils Borstel, 25, helps run Bratwurst King, a family business which has operated at the markets since 1999.

He said a sausage that previously cost £3.50 now sold for £8, with much of the increase taking place over the past five or six years.

“But we don’t earn more money,” he said.

Borstel, whose family operates four stalls across the city centre, said rising costs for meat, electricity, staffing and accommodation had forced the business to increase prices.

About 15 workers travel from Germany to help run the stalls, alongside staff recruited in the UK.

He said that despite busy crowds and dry weather during the opening weekend, people appeared more cautious about spending than in previous years.

For example, some customers were now buying one portion of food to share, rather than purchasing one each, he said.

Borstel said he had seen a change in spending habits since 2019, when customers were more willing to buy food and drinks without worrying about the cost.

He acknowledged that prices were high and did not want to increase them, but said the they were necessary to cover expenses.

Among those questioning the costs were Neve and Poppy, both 18.

Neve, a student, said she had spent about £15 on one dish, while Poppy, who is taking a gap year, paid £11 for a Yorkshire pudding wrap.

“I think it was pricey for what it was,” Neve said.

Poppy also felt she had not received much food for the money, although said it was tasty.

Both said they enjoyed going into the city and looking around the markets, while Neve sympathised with traders, saying she thought the cost of renting space could force businesses to raise prices.

Business pressures

Charlotte Whittle, director of CT Catering, has been trading at the markets for 10 years and now operates four stalls.

She said each stall cost at least £1,000 a day to run, bringing her total daily operating costs to at least £4,000.

Whittle, who employs a range of staff, said customers often underestimated the work and expense involved.

Before the markets opened, her business spent two weeks preparing its stalls, with another two weeks needed to dismantle them after Christmas.

She said the costs included staff wages, accommodation, deliveries, storage, packaging and card payment fees.

Parking three vans in Manchester city centre could cost £100 a day alone, she said, with the vehicles needed to replenish stock throughout busy trading periods.

“They think that you’re just selling cookies,” she said.

Whittle, who began her business selling homemade cakes at street food markets, said the cost of stock and packaging had increased significantly over the years.

Holding prices down

Although she had increased some prices, she said she had chosen to absorb part of those costs rather than risk putting customers off.

“We’ve had to take a massive cut on profits,” she said.

She also argued that the standard of street food had improved and customers were receiving food comparable in quality to that served in restaurants.

But not every trader has responded to rising costs by putting up prices.

Clark Murphy, whose family has traded at the markets for 22 years, runs Mr Crimble Crumble, which sells fruit crumbles from two stalls.

He said the business had kept most prices unchanged for three years and had reduced the cost of its largest portion by £2.

Murphy said cooking oil and biodegradable packaging had become more expensive, but the business wanted to retain customers who returned each Christmas.

“We haven’t increased our prices for three years now,” he said.

He said the business remained profitable, although margins were under pressure and card payments added to operating costs.

At another food stall, a notice offered customers £1 off each drink or dish when paying cash.

“Card fees are crazy – help us keep it simple,” it said.

Meanwhile, a gift trader calling himself Ernie the Elf, who sells handmade Christmas decorations in Albert Square, said visitors could still find affordable products.

His decorations cost £4 each or three for £10, while metal signs were priced at £9.

Ernie, who is in his second year at the Manchester markets, said traders faced substantial expenses, including accommodation and parking.

But he believed the markets offered good value, pointing out that people could enjoy the festive atmosphere without having to spend money.

More than food

Tyler, from Australia, and Rebecca, from Hong Kong, were enjoying their first Christmas in England with their daughter.

Rebecca bought four brownies for £10, while Tyler paid £6 for a meat pie, which he said was not unreasonable compared with some other prices.

However, he described another stall charging £5 for three marshmallow sticks as “outrageous”.

The couple said the markets were part of enjoying their first Christmas in England with their daughter.

Despite questioning the cost of some products, Tyler said the experience was worthwhile.

“I think if you don’t buy anything, it’s still great to come,” he said.

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