A stall at Manchester Christmas Markets has been criticised for putting prices up just weeks after opening. When the markets first opened earlier this month, visitors could buy Dutch Mini Pancakes for £4.50, or £5.50 with premium toppings such as Biscoff and Nutella.
Now those prices have increased to £5 and £6 respectively, a move which has sparked anger among some customers.
One mum, who noticed the difference at the weekend, said: "I bought three lots and it came to £18, which I thought was quite expensive. Then when I checked what we paid on our last visit, I realised that the prices have gone up.
"I know everyone has overheads and you don't expect the markets to be cheap, but I don't think it's right for them to be putting the prices up a few weeks into the event. Having said that at least you're getting something nice for your money and these are really tasty, which is why we were going back for a second time."
Bosses at the stall say it's all do with the cost of stock in the UK and increased charges to bring things over here from Holland.
Bram Dreijer, whose father owns the business, said: "When we came back we noticed that everything we get from the UK, the stock, has increased, so we had no choice to raise the price unfortunately.
"I think everybody has noticed that a lot of things have increased during the last year. It’s no different for us."
Bram is from a small village called Bunschoten-Spakenburg, about 30 minutes from Amsterdam, and comes to the markets with a group 12 Dutch people.
His stall, which also sells sugar waffles, is inside the Cathedral Gardens section of the markets, close to the Skate Manchester ice rink. There is a second stall in Exchange Square.
He said stock prices had already risen last year and they absorbed that cost, but they're not able to continue to do so.
"We buy some stock here in the UK and bring some from Holland, now with Brexit it has become more expensive in both countries," he said. "And because of Brexit there has been a lot of extra costs for us to bring the stuff over, like the Christmas sheds, people, stock, visas and the like.
"Last year we took our loss, but this year that wasn’t possible anymore."
We reported yesterday how some visitors have left scathing reviews of the markets, with some complaints centred on prices not being displayed outside stalls and of hot chocolates also increasing in price.
Bram's prices are made clear on a digital display board at the back of the hut so customers are fully aware of what they are spending before ordering.
Despite the issue with supplies and prices, he said it's a pleasure to be back in the city and the markets have so far been a success. "Until now the market have been good," he said. "Great atmosphere and fun people. It’s good to be back."
Councillor Pat Karney, lead spokesperson on Christmas for Manchester City Council, said: "We don't tell traders how much to charge for their products on the Christmas Markets as we don't know the costs involved at any time to produce them, but we will check out any complaints that are brought to us.
"Stallholders are however obviously subject to the same demands as other retailers in that if what they're selling is too expensive, customers won't buy their products."
All stallholders are asked to display their prices as they're subject to the same trading standards legislation as any other retail business.
Have you visited the markets this year? Have you noticed any prices increasing? What do you think of prices rising because of the cost of stock? Let us know your views in the comments here.
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