Southampton Christmas Market: Shoppers react to high prices

Prices at these events in general are always contentious topics, with many expecting to pay extra for the novelty.

But with draught pints of Peroni, Krombacher, Birra Morreti and Beavertown Neck Oil setting shoppers back £7.50, some in attendance were not impressed.

“That price is outrageous,” said Liam Rance, 21, who had a beer in hand while visiting the market from the Isle of Wight.

“Does it come with a brewery for that?”

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The witty comment echoed other opinions as a 35-year-old dad from Romsey, who asked not to be named, said he felt a little bit ripped off.

“The food is nice, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a lot more than I wanted to pay,” he said after finishing a £10 duck wrap.

“You do expect to pay a bit more where it’s a mobile market trader but it’s still more than it should cost.”

The man got his wrap from the “Duck That” stall.

​Other products available are the duck salad or rice bowl, priced at £8 and £12 respectively.The Duck That stall sells products like duck wraps for £10 or duck rice bowls for £12. (Image: Newsquest) Not all of the shoppers felt the same though, as some said that people should not bother coming to the market if they do not expect to pay higher prices than usual.

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Lisa Kelly, who lives in Guildford, dismissed other people’s claims that the food and drink here costs too much money.

“You would pay a lot more than this if you went to London,” she said, citing Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland as another market with high prices that people happily pay.

“If you’re coming to an event like this, either buy food and drink or bring your own.

“It’s not like anybody is forcing people to buy food here, bring a packed lunch if it’s that big of a problem.”

The Southampton Christmas market is open until January 5, 2025.