We used to like our city’s Christmas market… however anti-social yobs, rip-off meals costs and stalls promoting tat have ruined it! How Britain’s favorite festive time out turned a supply of annual dread for locals

Locals living in the shadow of Britain’s biggest Christmas markets claim the annual Bavarian tradition is being tainted by anti-social behaviour and rip off food and drinks which have priced them out of their high streets. 

Residents in Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester 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. 

Meanwhile, visitors to London‘s Winter Wonderland have said that the Hyde Park attraction – where a pint of beer can sell for as much as £12 – is now unaffordable. 

The infamously expensive city attraction is also subject to an initial £7.50 entry fee making any trip there one that dents the wallet. 

And in smaller rural areas like Canterbury, Winchester and Exeter, locals have said that their Christmas markets are a pain they can do without. 

Due to the increased footfall of shoppers in their town centres, some locals have said the markets make their areas unnavigable during the festive season. 

Sadly, in Exeter this increase in crowds has led to more anti-social behaviour and petty crime blighting the festive vibes. 

MailOnline spoke to customers at events across the UK to get a flavour of how expensive the average annual trip has become and whether Britain’s love affair with Bavarian style markets had come to an end. 

London 

Tourists have flocked to visit London‘s infamous Winter Wonderland – but Brits working around its fringes said it was too expensive to consider visiting.

Inside the enclosure in plush Kensington, in the centre of the capital, hot dogs cost as much as £16, while pints are flogged for £12 each.

Warming hot chocolates will set you back £9.50, and even funky hats made to look like animals have sky-high price tags of £25.

One woman, who was working for TfL outside the barriers, joked she ‘couldn’t afford’ to get into the festive festival.

She said: ‘I’ve got no interest in it and it’s too expensive. It’s ridiculous, it’s too much.

‘It’s all right for a tourist or one person, but for families!

‘It’s going to be expensive because it’s in London, but you’ve got to be interested in rides if you want to go.

‘I’m too old for that.’ 

Lara, who was walking her black Labrador Bear around the perimeter of the attraction in Hyde Park, said the event had gone down hill since she first visited it as a teenager.

The 22-year-old said: ‘If you’d asked me five years ago I would have been looking forward to it. Now not so much.

‘I’m sure it has changed. It used to be a classy affair now it’s just… I don’t know. But I wouldn’t go.’

To buy a package to go on five rides it costs £45, while individually passes are priced at £7.50.

Events held in the park cost as much as £100 each – which will get you a private box to the Cirque Beserk: Thunderbolt show with a bottle of bubbly.

The private pods on the Giant Wheel are also flogged for as much as £76 a go, while couples ice sculpting workshops are a costly £71.50.

Visitors have to book their time and entrance to the park costs £7.50 after 3pm at weekends – until December 19, when it is that price every day of the week.

But some Christmas-lovers remained delighted as they visited the attraction, with tourists travelling from as far as Israel and the southern states of America to dine out on good will.     

Huge queues reached up Hyde Park’s paths outside the event as festive fanatics scrambled to make the most of the first event’s first day.

Hagit travelled from Israel with her 12-year-old daughter, who had wanted to see Winter Wonderland and the Harry Potter studio for her birthday.

The braced the cold from 9.30am as they waited to get inside when the event opened at 12.00pm

She said: ‘My friend told me about this and we read on the internet that this is one of the things you have to do in London.

‘We’re really excited. We really want to have some fun. 

‘This is her birthday present and this is what she wanted – to be here.’   

Lisa, Allie and Lynne travelled more than 4,200 miles to see the Winter Wonderland – flying into London from Georgia, America, to enjoy the show. 

Lisa said: ‘I came for the Christmas, and I came for the biggest Christmas market.

‘We planned this trip six months ago. I’m a big Christmas fan – got my Christmas sweater, my Christmas hat in my rucksack!

‘We can’t wait to get inside – it looks amazing. This was 50 per cent of the reason to come here!’

Fernando, 54, who lives in nearby Paddington, crosses past Winter Wonderland every day as he walks to work.

He has lived in London for five years since moving across from his native Portugal.

He said: ‘I’m excited to have it back – it’s a nice thing to see every year. This fair is fantastic.

‘I have only been inside once, in 2019, but I reckon there are lots of people coming in – locals and foreigners. I have a positive feeling about this.’    

A fellow local, who was on his morning constitutional past the venue, also said that he enjoyed seeing the show come to Hyde Park every year. 

He said: ‘It’s terrific, actually. What I do is bring my grandchildren down here. 

‘They love it, and I do too! It’s nice seeing them on the ice and everything.’

Jamie Lopez, had travelled from holiday-hotspot Majorca with partner Tiffany to enjoy the festive crowds.

He said: ‘Her cousin told us that they were doing it. We want to see the Alice and Wonderland attraction. We’ll check everything else out too.’

Osman Bado and his partner Linda, from Lebanon were disappointed to miss the opening day of Winter Wonderland.

She said she would have gone had she been around – after enjoying the event on a visit two years ago.

‘I enjoyed it – I’d come back here. If I was here today I would have come. I have to leave in ten minutes! We missed it. 

‘It’s everywhere in Lebanon – anyone who’s familiar with London knows about Winter Wonderland.’

Jan and Rosmari Atle had come across from Norway to share in the festive spirit.

He said: ‘We just wanted to get in the Christmas mood in another country.

‘We needed to visit this before we go away. It’s known to be around here – it’s our first time in London.

‘We’ve seen Big Ben, the Eye, Buckingham Palace – this is next. We don’t know how it will compare – we will have to say when we come out!’

MailOnline has approached Winter Wonderland for comment. 

Winchester

Historic Winchester’s twee Christmas market was branded an ‘over-priced, over-rated’ tourist trap yesterday as it rolled out this year’s holly, tinsel and lights.

Locals said the collection of wooden chalets around the city’s historic cathedral was an emporium of ‘expensive tat’ rammed with coach loads of day-trippers.

Organisers say Winchester has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe and attracts thousands of visitors with its festive ambience, carol singing and aroma of mulled wine.

But MailOnline found yesterday that there were distinctly mixed views about the German-inspired trading centre which has been a fixture for nearly 20 years.

Even fans of the event said they never bought anything because its stalls charge too much for food, drink and luxury items which few people have a use for.

Among the premium-rated goodies on sale yesterday were mulled wine for £9.50 a glass, mead for £8.50 and cider at £8.50.

Alcohol-free mulled wine could be snapped up for £5 a glass and a pint of Camden Hells lager or Pale Ale was on sale for £7 a pint.

Cups of hot chocolate with marshmallow and cream were on sale for £4.50, a flat white coffee cost £4, soft drinks £2 and mince pies £2.50.

Really peckish visitors could take advantage of German bratwurst for £8, or non-festive fast food including BBQ chicken for £12 a portion and margerita pizza for £11.

Among the lavish fancy goods on sale was a carved wooden stag for £2,750, a male figure for £600 and a donkey for £575.

Peter Lovesey, who runs Winchester’s all-year market in the High Street, said: ‘It’s the same stuff every year, over-priced, over-rated – seriously, 100 per cent.

‘I’ve been round it with friends but I’ve never bought anything because it’s too expensive. A mulled wine and a mince pie for two is like £18.

‘Business isn’t good. What this city and others need is something to bring the town together – a day out, family fun days, vintage cars, tanks or whatever.

The 60-year-old added: ‘The Christmas market doesn’t do that. People don’t even talk about it. They don’t bother.’

Local resident Pauline Chapman, 73, added: ‘We’ve just walked around it now. It is much of a muchness.

‘We had a look round, it’s very nice but we looked at the prices and they’re a bit high. I understand why it’s a bit more expensive but no we wouldn’t buy anything.

Her husband Colin, also 73, said: ‘It’s everything. We’ve been to Bath Christmas market and you expect it to be expensive but you can’t buy anything.

‘We’d go again for a walk but if we wanted a burger or anything we’d have to go up the High Street where it’s a bit cheaper.’

They also pointed out that visitors to the city ended up in the wrong market because the council failed to signpost directions to the Christmas event.

‘It does bring people in. When it gets going there will be coach loads of people from all over the country. It gets really busy – they visit all the historic attractions.’

Another resident, who gave her name only as Sharon, said: ‘I’m not going because locals don’t go.

‘It’s just over-priced tat if you want my opinion. Locals don’t go, it’s just tourists that go there.

‘It’s pretty to look at but you don’t want to queue up with everyone for stuff that’s too dear to buy and which you can get on the other market all year round.

‘You pay a premium. I might end up going but you have to try to avoid Saturdays and Sundays and other times when the tourists visit – maybe a Tuesday night.’

The 59-year-old added added: ‘We’ve got a pretty city and you want tourists to enjoy it but they’re being drawn in to pay a premium. You’re being sold a dream.

‘It’s like the property market. It’s London prices and if you haven’t got a London wage, that means you’re going to struggle. The city’s changed from a tight night community to an offshoot of London.’

Emlyn Jenkins, 65, said: ‘I just moved to Winchester four months ago and I really love the city.

‘I’ve been to the market before, 20 years ago, and they’ve got rid of the ice rink which I don’t mind but my kids do.

‘But I think it’s good for the town, it’s good for retailers. You can’t get it wrong in Winchester because it’s got so much tradition. I find it calming, even when it’s busy.’

Rachel Bailey, who runs a High Street stall selling fancy goods made from recycled wood, said the Christmas stalls generated business for all the traders.

‘It adds to the business because it brings in more footfall. People go to the Christmas market, then come back and have a look at what we have.

‘So it gets a thumbs up. There’s three or four wood stalls and we all do good business, so there’s a place in the market for everyone really. It gets really busy.’

Another resident said: ‘I’m sure it brings a lot of business for Winchester. We come when it’s wintry, so you’ve got the atmosphere. It’s really historic.

‘I’ve been a number of times over the year and I don’t often buy anything but I just potter round. It’s an experience more than anything.’

Birmingham

Locals in Birmingham have railed against Britain’s largest German Christmas market  branding a ‘rip-off’ for charging £21 for a beer and a hotdog as well as a hotspot for antisocial behavior. 

Revellers attending Birmingham‘s Frankfurt Christmas Market have complained after prices went up to an all-time high when it opened on Friday, November 1.

Two-pint steins of German wheat beer Hofbrau cost £12.50, while a half-metre-long Bratwurst is priced at £9 and a bag of roasted almonds are £4.50.

Some even threatened to boycott the attraction this year, which boasts of being the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany or Austria.

Visitors have also taken exception to a new stricter rule banning people from buying more than one drink at a time from the bar – despite the massive queues.

Regular visitor John Beard, 35 said: This will be the first time in ten years I’m not going to bother. It’s a combination of the rip-off prices and that one beer rule is just daft. 

‘You can queue for half hour there easily so sometimes you want to double up.

‘It’s a measure to stop people getting drunk, but where’s the fun in that at Christmas?  If people want to get merry, let them. There’s never any trouble up there.

‘For what it costs, it’s really not worth it because it’s absolutely rammed and you’re just standing about in the cold essentially. The stalls are the same each year too.

‘People are watching the pennies more than ever and don’t want to spend nearly a tenner on a sausage. You can blow about £50 in ten minutes.’

Other locals have criticised the excess of the annual festival and claimed it makes the city a more anti-social place. 

IT worker Daniel Adams, 54, from Yardley, Birmingham, said: ‘I live about five miles from Victoria Square (where the market is located) but I give it a wide berth at this time of year.

‘The main reason I don’t go is money. Why pay £10 or £15 for a hot dog or beer just to have it in a cold street?

‘I honestly don’t understand it. I did go with some friends a few years back but it was so expensive and packed with people I left after an hour.

‘I would be very surprised if most Brummies even go to it. It’s a tourist trap full of wealthy people from Warwickshire and the Cotswolds.’

City worker Demi Richards, 37, who lives in the centre of Birmingham, said: ‘I’ll sometimes have a walk around and take in the stalls but I never buy anything.

‘But it’s all so expensive and the same stuff is for sale every year. There’s not much variation. It’s a bit of a rinse and repeat job.

‘They don’t mix it up, but it’s aimed at tourists. For them, it does well.’

Retired security guard Ian Spence, 62, from Edgbaston, said: ‘The market has got so big you see it attracting more undesirables each year.

‘There have always been pickpockets but since the cost of living crisis thieves are braver because they know the police probably won’t catch them.

‘I have a friend who works in a city pub and they say the level of anti-social behaviour is pretty bad too.

‘You expect drunken idiots on a Friday and Saturday night but the market means the morons come out every night.

‘The streets are just covered in all sorts of horrors from the night before.

‘I actually think the market itself looks a bit sorry for itself too. The stalls are basically sheds covered with a bit of tinsel. Not my cup of Gluhwein I’m afraid.’

Student James Townsend, 22, said: ‘I’m sure the market does well. There are always a lot of people, but I don’t love it.

‘The queues and crowds that form is quite something though.

‘I feel for anyone going at the peak times, the streets are packed with people.’

Lynn Martin, 45, commutes from her home in Leamington Spa, Warks., to Birmingham for her job as an office administrator.

She said: ‘Driving into the city has always been a nightmare but there really is no point when the Christmas Market is on.

‘I try my best to take public transport instead but the trains are unbearable.

‘You rarely get a seat anyway but now they are full of Christmas shoppers and drunk partygoers.

‘I had to remind myself that it’s still only November. We’ve got weeks of this over-priced tat to go until it’s over.’

Canterbury 

Meanwhile in Canterbury, locals are also fairly nonplussed by their annual Christmas  extravaganza. 

Some are also disappointed by the lack of stalls in the newly opened Cathedral Christmas market, which opened for the first time in 200 years this year.

The extensive Christmas Market in Canterbury takes over three areas of the city – including the famous cathedral’s grounds.

95 stalls cram the streets – offering nick nacks, fried food and sugary treats to visitors.

Saint George’s Street, the main high street, is lined with wooden huts selling everything from ornaments to silver jewellery – with stalls for burgers and even a roasted marshmallow experience.

Slightly ruining the festive spirit was the music – with ‘Hard Times’ by Paramore blasting full volume when our reporter arrived.

There is a second market in the Cathedral grounds, which has opened for the first time in 200 years.

There are a handful of shops, selling candles and decorations, as well as an old fashioned carousel which did not seem to get much interest on the freezing cold day our reporter visited.

There is also a festive crazy golf experience on offer – and Christmas music playing over tinny speakers.

Graham Tomkins, 55, who was in Canterbury to visit friends said: ‘It’s okay, I’m not blown away but it’s nice to see it there.

He added: ‘I didn’t buy anything personally.

‘It seems a little bit steep to me.

‘I am notoriously tight thought.’

The clothes shop manager has noticed the park and ride car parks are a lot busier too, making it harder for commuters like herself, she said: ‘I did notice on Friday and Saturday there were a lot more people at the park and ride.

‘It’s definitely bringing more people in and word is getting around so it’s a lot busier.’

Bill Secker, 76, said he found the festive haunt annoying, explaining: ‘I left my wife in the marks and Spencer’s, but I couldn’t work out where the exit was.

‘I wanted to find somewhere to sit quietly with a pint.

‘It’s sort of annoying so I just try to avoid it.

‘It definitely would not draw me to Canterbury.

‘It is in the way.’

Samantha Johns, 51, was shocked by the prices, she said: ‘I like the little hut things, they’re better than last years.

‘But we’re just going to have a wander through – it was okay last year but there wasn’t as much.

‘I browse more than anything, we’ve done all our Christmas shopping already – so we’ve just come for a nose.

‘Some of it very overpriced for what it is.

‘Some of it is handmade so that’s lovely for a one off thing, but if you want a few things you’ve got to watch out – especially because of the cost of living.’

Her husband Gary Johns, 54, said: ‘Some of the ornaments here are £60 to £70 when you could get them in The Range for half that – so we’d rather go to The Range.

Newcastle 

In Newcastle, a city famous for its cheap food and drink, customers have been left reeling by the rip off prices at the Christmas market including £19 for a Greek platter and £12.50 for a burger.

Families trawling the stalls in the city centre say they would rather purchase a supermarket meal deal than fork out nearly £10 for an expensive duck wrap.

The city’s Grainger Street and Grey Street is home to more than 35 festive stalls but locals have dubbed it as ‘too small’ and that it leaves Christmas shoppers paying hand over fist for overpriced grub.

Geordies are being forced to fork out a massive £7 to sip on a pint of Camden Stout at the enclosed tipi-style Moosenwirt bar.

A chicken shish platter would set you back a massive £15 and a large Greek platter consisting of chicken, chips, pita, salad and sauces, is an eye-watering £19.

At one hut, foodies can get their hands on a Yorkshire pudding wrap which includes roast meat, vegetables, stuffing and gravy – and it comes with a price-tag of £12.

Families looking to chow down on a burger and chips will have to shell out £12.50.

One stall is flogging loaded duck fries which is covered in meat, hoisin, sesame seeds, spring onion and garlic mayo for £9.50.

A Christmas market classic Bratwurst sausage is priced at £8.

Thomas Wilson, 21, picked up £8 churros and three wheels of cheese for £10 – but said the ‘too small’ market is crammed with too many food stalls.

The mechanical fitter apprentice, of Newcastle, said: ‘I paid £8 for the churros which isn’t the worst price but they definitely could have been cheaper.

‘The market isn’t as big as it used to be, when I was little it used to span across the city centre and across Northumberland Street, the high street.

‘Some of it isn’t too bad.

‘Before Covid they closed the road off and had more rides which was a lot better.

‘I’m hoping to get up to Edinburgh as that’s supposed to be one of the best ones.

‘Newcastle has more food markets but none of the festive shops, you want some variety on a Christmas market and there isn’t here.

‘You want a full Christmas experience instead of spending all of your money on food.’

Gary Ormston, 40, a hospitality worker added: ‘It was better before Covid as the market spread out.

‘You had all the rides near central station. It doesn’t bother me too much.

‘The duck wrap was £10, you may as well go to M&S and get a meal deal.’

Manchester

Visitors to Manchester’s Christmas Market have also complained that it’s ‘too expensive’ and they feel ‘ripped off’ due to the high prices for food and drink with burgers selling for £13. 

The market is one of the largest in the UK and features 200 stalls spread across nine locations selling the usual seasonal treats such as mulled wine and bratwurst as well as clothes, craft items and handmade gifts.

But the cost of some items, including £10 for a Yorkshire pudding wrap and £5 for a ‘cold’ pie has led to accusations that stall-holders are overcharging and taking advantage of visitors’ Christmas spirit.

While some visitors said they ‘expected to pay more’ for food and drink others bemoaned the high prices and ‘small portions’.

Dave Smith, 38, and his friend Harriet, 37, were visiting he market from Chorley, in Lancashire, and had eaten corn dogs costing £5 and apple crumble for £7.

‘I think some stall-holders can put up their prices and get away with it here,’ Dave said.

‘It does seem a bit expensive.

‘And some of the stuff comes in tiny portions.’

Chinese students Zhiyan Zou, 27, and Wenxuan Wong, 22, who are studying at the University of Manchester, admitted they were being careful not to spend too much and were ‘only eating, not drinking’.

Zhiyan had paid £10 for beef and Yorkshire pudding in a tray while Wenxuan had bought a Pistachio Croissant which cost £7.50.

Wenxuan admitted many items seemed ‘really expensive’ while Zhiyan – who had visited the week before – had thought twice about coming back for the same reason.

‘We are just buying what we really want and nothing else,’ she said.

‘I think the market is bit expensive.’

Mia Shoesmith, 21, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, had met her mum Debbie, 60, after work and decided to treat her at the market.

But she said she was left ‘shocked’ when they bought two mugs of brandy and chocolate costing £21.50, although that included £7 deposit on the mugs, which they wanted to keep as a souvenir.

‘The prices are ridiculous but it’s the same everywhere,’ said Mia.

‘I went out to the Co-Op Arena (the city’s newest concert venue) and a pint of Guinness cost £9.80.

‘I the smallholders take advantage because it’s Christmas and lot of people come here from abroad and other places.’

Mia added: ‘I wouldn’t want to come here and drink all night.

‘It would cost too much.’

Debbie said: ‘I think most people expect to pay a bit more for things than usual but I don’t like to feel like I’m being ripped off

‘I’ve been here in previous years and the food wasn’t great.

‘I got a Yorkshire pudding last year and it was rubbish.

‘A lot of it fast food but it’s not even quality fast food.’

Dominik Wawiorko, 38, was visiting from Poland with his fiancée Beata Szczygiezska, 38, and their three-year-old boy Alam.

‘I’ve found it expensive, but obviously it’s Christmas Market so you expect prices to be higher.

‘But £13 for a burger is ridiculous.

‘This is the first time we’ve been the market and we’ve not bought anything yet.’

‘We’re going to have a good look around but I’m not sure we’ll buy any food – not at these prices.’

He pointed out that we were many other food outlets nearby selling ‘cheaper food and bigger portions’.

Beata added: ‘Its certainly more expensive than the Christmas markets back home.’

Liverpool

Visitors to the Christmas market in Liverpool were also split as to whether it was good value or a rip-off.

Some said the high prices were ‘outrageous’ while other visitors expected to pay more as it was a ‘one-off treat’.

The market in Liverpool city centre was full of bars and food stalls but also had fairground stalls and a giant Ferris wheel with rides for £7.

Special needs teacher Christine Murphy, 44, visited the market with her 18-year-old daughter Evie.

Pausing after tucking into her £8 pork and dumpling, the mother-of-six agreed some of the prices were ‘pretty outrageous’.

She said: ‘This food is delicious but I have also spent £16 with my food and something for my daughter.

‘I have been before with all my kids but it was every expensive.

‘I can’t afford to bring all my kids now so I’ve just brought one.

‘I mean it’s a great place to come but the prices should be splashed by a third.

‘But it is a one-off’.

Her daughter Evie, who said she was enjoying her £8 fried potatoes and sausage, added: ‘I love it here – it’s great.

‘Mind you I’m not having to pay.

‘I’m hoping to go on some of the rides later.’

Engineer Jake Smith, 30, and support worker Sophie Keegan, 27, had spent £24 on two giant Yorkshire pudding filled with turkey and all the trimmings. 

They had also spent £12 on 12 churros with chocolate topping.

Jake, of Birkenhead, Wirral, said: ‘It’s pretty expensive but it’s what I expected as we come every year.

‘Everything is delicious but really pricey. However it’s just a one-off.’

Sophie added: ‘I’m not sure it is great value – the turkey was pretty dry in the giant Yorkshire pudding.

‘But we’ve had a good time as it is a real event.

‘However it does seem quieter than last year – maybe people are put off by the prices,’

Exeter

Locals and business owners in Exeter have hit out at a ‘crime-ridden’ Christmas market prowled by gangs of organised pickpockets and aggressive beggars.

The month-long festive market opened last Friday in the grounds of the city’s Cathedral but gangs of ‘professional’ beggars have quickly moved in to fleece tourists.

When MailOnline visited the market this week we witnessed women screaming at a group of shocked shoppers demanding they hand over £19 to pay for a shelter, several other beggars were also nearby.

Minutes later police had arrested and handcuffed another man who was led away from the market.

Retailers say they have also been targeted by crooks, with jewellery designer Zoe Hobson already having £1,800 worth of stock snatched from the Christmas market.

Zoe, who runs Sozo Silver Design, says a tray of 30 rings, worth around £1,800, were swiped from her stall right ‘under [her] nose’ while she was serving a customer.

She said: ‘I was serving a lady and didn’t quite have the ring she wanted out front so I brought out a tray of about 30 others from the back and she purchased one from that tray.

‘In the few moments that I dealt with one customer to the next or bent down to get a gift box, they were just taken and I didn’t notice. It was literally from under my nose and I didn’t see it. It’s about £1,800 worth of stock.’

In a Facebook post, she described the theft as ‘a betrayal of the trust and kindness we foster in our small business community.’

‘Of course it does hurt a small business but it’s not really about that,’ she said. ‘To me, it’s the time I go around sourcing every single spoon by hand and I’ve made them all and then I send them all off so they all get certified and they get a certificate.’

Another retailer – who didn’t want to be named – told MailOnline: ‘The beggars and pickpockets are organised, you can see them working together at all the entrances. I really hope this doesn’t turn into a crime-ridden event.

‘Obviously they see the Christmas Market is an easy target with lots of people crowded around and not paying attention. The police are around the whole time but they can’t be everywhere at once.

‘If you work in the city all year you get to know the troublemakers. I don’t know where these people came from but they weren’t here before the market and I doubt they will be here after it packs up.’

The popular Christmas market opened last Friday with over 100 stalls operating out of wooden ‘chalets’.

In addition the ‘Cathedral Tavern’ has opened with beers and ciders selling for £6 per pint, mulled wine selling for £7 and a double gin and tonic setting you back £12.

Sales associate James Page, 27, said the prices were ‘a bit steep’ but added: ‘I don’t mind really. You’d expect a pint at the Christmas market to be more expensive than Wetherspoons, you’re paying for all the work that has gone into setting this up and making it special.’

A spokesperson for Devon & Cornwall Police said: ‘Police were called following a theft of a tray of silver rings from a stall at Exeter Christmas Market on the evening of Friday 15 November. It was believed the rings were stolen while the business owner was taking a transaction.

‘At this time, there are no viable lines of enquiry however if further evidence comes to light the incident can be re-visited. Anybody with information can contact police on 101 or via our website quoting 50240290838.’