Britain's biggest Christmas market branded a 'rip-off' as beer and sausage cost £31.50
It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year – but visitors to Britain's biggest Christmas market are feeling distinctly less festive after discovering the eye-watering cost of a beer and a sausage.
Christmas cheer has turned to Christmas rage at Britain's biggest festive market, where revellers face paying a staggering £31.50 for a beer and a sausage.
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market opened on Thursday (November 5), but visitors have already branded it a "rip-off", with some accusing organisers of putting Scrooge in charge of the price list
A two-pint stein of German Hofbrau wheat beer now costs £14, while thirsty punters must also pay a £7 refundable glass deposit – taking the initial bill to £21. Fancy something to eat? The market's famous half-metre Bratwurst will set you back another £9.50, with onions costing an extra £1. Other festive treats aren't exactly cheap either, with 20 chocolate marshmallows costing £22 and a hot chocolate with a shot of Jägermeister priced at £7.50.
Matt Hunt, 45, and wife Gemma, 43, from Solihull, said they visit every year but were shocked by the latest increases. Matt said: "It is quite expensive. I think it's all gone up a little bit." Gemma added: "We couldn't come with the kids here. We have three kids and they would just want a sausage each, it would get expensive." The couple said a large beer and a can of Fanta cost them £24.
Grandparents Alan, 72, and Fiona Evans, 71, from Birmingham, were so unimpressed they abandoned the market food stalls and headed to Greggs instead. Alan said: "Some of the prices are a bit ridiculous. I suppose they have to make a profit but it's a lot for what it is." Fiona added that the market had lost some of its traditional family-friendly charm.
Prices have risen across several drinks, with a pint of Weissbier jumping from £6.50 to £8. Visitors have also criticised new rules limiting customers to one drink per bar visit, which organisers say are designed to curb drunkenness.
Organisers defended the increases, saying prices had been frozen since 2022 but rising import, energy, staffing and other costs left them with little choice. They said most items had increased by around 50p and stressed that glass deposits are refunded when containers are returned.