A mum was left reeling when she splashed out on a sweet treat for her daughter during a Christmas market trip. Manchester Evening News Parents Editor Emma Gill visited the festive market in the city over the weekend.
She told how she let her daughter select a few treats from the Kingdon of Sweets stall but kept a watchful eye on what went in the bag. And even so she was stunned when she was told the cost of the small selection at £14.34.
She said they chose the stall at the top end of Market Street, near where they had eaten in Piccadilly Gardens. Writing in the MEN she said : She said: “No one anticipates a pick and mix stall to be a bargain, but everyone deserves an occasional indulgence.”
She added: “I monitored what she was adding to the bag, knowing how quickly the cost can escalate. However, I was taken aback when her selection totalled a staggering £14.34.
“I didn’t want to ask for a refund once she’d added them to the bag, and I should have realised that the sign advertising £3.29 per 100g is significantly more than the usual price for sweets.” The mum compared the cost with other popular sweets saying a 175g bag of Haribo is £1.25 at either Aldi or Tesco, making it about 71p per 100g, approximately four times cheaper.
This isn’t the first time the publication has looked at the prices at Manchester Christmas Markets. In November it told how shoppers are now paying £9.50 for the priciest meat sausages at the market.
The Berlin currywurst at the Witch House stall has risen from £8 last year – a jump of £1.50. Meanwhile a jumbo piggy wrap at Porky Pig on Exchange Square is also up, increasing by £1 to £9.50.
Manchester City Council has clarified that stall prices are not under their control, stating traders set their own based on overheads and the distinctiveness of their offerings. Cllr Pat Karney, the council’s Christmas spokesperson, commented: “We’re always happy to check out any complaints brought to us however we don’t set the prices on our market stalls.
“Prices are set by stallholders themselves who at the end of the day are subject to the same market forces as any other retailer – if what they’re selling is too expensive, people won’t buy their products.” Kingdom of Sweets, when previously questioned about their pricing, responded: “Our prices are clearly displayed per 100g and are comparable with other premium location retailers.
Staff are trained to allow customers to leave the purchase if their selection is too heavy or take some out to bring the price down.” Kingdom of Sweets has been contacted for comment following the experience this weekend.