UK’s ‘most expensive’ Christmas market is trying to ROB us – £20 only got a few measly pieces of fudge never mind a meal
THE UK'S "most expensive" Christmas market has been accused of trying to "rob" people - with £20 only getting a few "measly" pieces of fudge rather than a meal.
Families visiting a festive market in Leeds slammed what they described as sky-high prices - including £6 for a potato-on-a-stick and £8 for a sausage.
And a stall selling fudge drew ire from hard-pressed parents.
The Sun watched mouths drop as the confectionery was weighed up at a cost of £39.60 per kilo.
Dad-of-four Anthony Bouldon, 34, was charged £8.41 for three pieces.
He said: "They’re robbing b******s, aren’t they?
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"I caved into the kids and I shouldn’t have - I thought it might be a fiver at the most.
"I’ve just had a bite and, do you know what, it doesn’t even taste that good.
"It’s my own fault though - I should have said ‘no’ when they put it on the scales.
"But it was too late - I couldn’t deal with the fall-out of telling the kids it was too expensive.
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"I’ve learned my lesson for next time."
We bought four pieces of fudge for £12.99 - including peanut brittle, Battenburg and salted caramel varieties - and saw others shell out more than £20.
The return of the Christmas markets to the West Yorkshire city after a four-year absence drew a mixed opinion from visitors, some of whom said there were too many expensive food stalls.
Jo Dodd, 38, was pestered into paying £6 for a deep-fried potato-on-a-stick for seven-year-old son Rylan Creighton.
It's not cheap - I've spent £40 on parking and snacks
Jo Dodd
She said: "He made me buy it for him because he liked the look of it.
"I’ve come with my partner and another boy - you’re paying £10 a go for them to have a snack.
"It’s hardly a meal, is it? But they’ve having a good time and it’s all part of the fun.
"But it’s not cheap - I’ve spent £40 on parking and snacks."
Visitors also expressed their frustrations on social media.
One said: ";The Christmas Market in Leeds has to be one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen.
"I’ve only seen about 10 to 15 stands but, out of those, three were kebab stands and another was selling dog food subscriptions."
Garry Anderson, 43, was there with 31-year-old wife Monica and sons Jordan six, and four-year-old James.
He said: "It doesn’t have the same feel that it used to.
“There are so many food stalls and it’s more spread out.
"It’s good for the kids because there are lots of rides, but for adults it’s not great.
"There aren’t many places selling trinkets and decorations."
At the ski bar in the city’s Millennium Square, pints of Amstel lager and Strongbow cider were priced at £6.50.
'FIRST FOR FOUR YEARS'
A hot chocolate with Bailey’s liquor costs £8 and a bottle of Prosecco £35, while punters pay £9.50 for a double vodka and Red Bull.
Beth Downing and pals Sally Darbill and Emma Thorp, all 30, said they didn’t mind the prices.
Beth said: "It is expensive but you expect it at a Christmas market.
"This is the first one in Leeds for four years so it’s just nice to be able to do it again - there’s a lot going on and loads of choice.
"We’re having a great time."
Leeds City Council said they did not set the prices.
The organisers Market Place Europe told The Sun Online: "Traders are encouraged to keep costs competitive - however, given rising overheads and the importance of maintaining quality, at times some products are more costly than others.
"The Leeds Christmas Markets is a free event - everyone is welcome and you can enjoy the sight, sounds and smells of the market without spending anything.
"The markets have been designed to ensure customers can spend as little or as much as they deem appropriate.
"There are also a number of free activities such as the Nutcracker Trail and Giant Advent Calendar, where children can watch Santa open the calendar and receive a special gift each day."
Across the Pennines, a Manchester Christmas market was branded a "rip-off" with sausage rolls costing 12 times more than at Greggs.
Another in Northern Ireland capital Belfast has been praised for value.
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Elsewhere, a Christmas market with a twist was staged at former prison HMP Gloucester - with stalls selling kinky lingerie, sex toys and dead animals from inside serial killer Fred West's old cell.
Tips have been offered on the best to visit this winter.
