The UK’s ‘most beautiful’ Christmas Market that attracts visitors from all over the world has come under fire after a picture of one of its stalls went viral – for all the wrong reasons
The nation’s festive spirit has been dampened due to one expensive sausage. Over recent years, UK Christmas markets have gained a not-so-great reputation for their eye-watering prices, especially when it comes to food and drink. While a fiver might have once been all you need to grab a mediocre burger and a hot chocolate to warm up, you’ll now need triple the budget for half the goods. Despite spiralling costs, swathes of Brits clearly can’t resist the appeal of buying stocking fillers from snow-capped cabins, and spending half their pay-check on some glorified street food. But for some, the novelty is starting to wear off.
Edinburgh Christmas Market has gained a stellar image as the ‘most beautiful’ festive event in Europe, thanks to its vibrant light display and abundant offerings. The market now spans across three tiers within Princes Street Gardens, and feels like you’re stepping into a Walt Disney dream.
But with growing crowds every year, Edinburgh hasn’t been able to completely dodge criticism. And this time, it all revolves around a hotdog. Taking to Reddit, user Moonsky posted a picture of a food stand that showed the price for bratwurst and fries was £13.50. Adding fried onions or cheese costs an extra £1.50 each.
Hundreds of disgruntled Brits flocked to the comments to slam the high price, with one joking that they were the ‘wurst’. Another agreed, commenting: “While folks keep paying it, they’ll keep charging it.” A third ‘strongly agreed’ – adding: “[I] heard there were huge queues at the opening. If people keep going, they will keep fleecing!” Others suggested they’d rather support a local business in the surrounding area, who will probably struggle to stay afloat during this period.
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However, many defended the cost of the bratwurst, with one person stating: “Rent, wages, cost of purchasing stock. The price is absurd for us, but I would suspect it’s necessary so that the profit margin justifies the work.” A local argued: “Remember none of the Edinburgh Christmas stuff is for us, silly! It’s for people visiting, who tend to relax the purse strings a little when away from home.”
According to Daily Record, a spokesperson from Edinburgh’s Christmas responding to the furore, saying: “[Our] work with the market’s many local and international traders to ensure that their products are priced competitively, and in-line with comparable Christmas attractions and large-scale outdoor events. There is a huge variety of food and drink available at Edinburgh’s Christmas which caters for tastes at varying price levels.”
If you’ve lost your appetite after seeing the prices, you can grab a flavoured hot chocolates with toppings from £6.80. The Luxury hot chocolate stall also serves coffee, including an Americano and latte for £4.50.
Are Christmas markets worth the money these days? Have your say in the comments section below
