The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham has been blasted by punters for ‘rip off’ prices and a one drink per person rule – with some vowing to boycott the event
The festive cheer seemed a bit dimmed at Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market as punters slammed the bash for its “rip-off” prices since doors swung open last week.
Quaffing a two-pint ‘stein’ of German Hofbrau will set you back a whopping £12.50, while chomping on a half-metre Bratwurst has been slapped with a hefty £9 price tag, and a bag of roasted almonds isn’t far behind at £4.50.
And it isn’t just the sky-high prices that are causing grumbles; a new bevvy ban is also brewing discontent among market-goers who are now stopped from snapping up more than a single pint per trip to the bar a right pain given the monster queues.
Talk around the gluhwein stalls hints that some regulars might give this year’s sprawling shindig a miss, despite it wearing the crown as the largest authentic German market outside of Germany or Austria itself.
Birmingham bloke John Beard, 35, a city centre worker and decade-long devotee, is ditching the event in protest against the steep tariffs and the baffling beer rule, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He vented: “This will be the first time in ten years I’m not going to bother.
“It’s a combination of the rip-off prices and that one beer rule is just daft. You can queue for half hour there easily so sometimes you want to double up.”
“It’s a measure to stop people getting drunk, but where’s the fun in that at Christmas? If people want to get merry, let them. There’s never any trouble up there.”
“For what it costs, it’s really not worth it because it’s absolutely rammed and you’re just standing about it the cold essentially. The stalls are the same each year too.
“People are watching the pennies more than ever and don’t want to spend nearly a tenner on a sausage. You can blow about £50 in ten minutes.”
Social media was abuzz with disappointment. John Coles posted: “Was good when it first started now going down hill rapidly.”
On the other hand, Jeanette Bennison didn’t mince words when she said: “I’ve visited a couple of times years ago and I didn’t think much of it prices were high then a rip off and stalls selling the same stuff all the way round.”
Trevor Smith recounted an expensive experience: “The last time I went there I got a hot dog and coffee cost me 15 quid I said to the bloke what part of Germany you from he said Tipton.”
Emma Jane chimed in with her assessment: “Absolutely rip off its moody and rough up there now not safe at all.”
And Dave Gwilt was unequivocal in his verdict: “Same old tat year after year, and the added bonus of getting your pockets picked, erm I’ll give it a swerve thanks.”
At the Birmingham Christmas Markets the previous year, in an attempt to verify legal drinking age, rules required that staff see each beer handed to the individual it’s purchased for.
The price hike was evident, with a regular bratwurst and pint of beer setting customers back £13.50, which is a new record, increasing by 50p from their steady prices in 2023.
However, there’s a silver lining for the thrifty as a half-pint of beer remained at £4.50, while a boozy hot chocolate was still £7, garlic bread fixed at £4, and crepes starting at £4.50.
Despite some grumbles, Birmingham was lauded, having been named the top Christmas market in the UK for 2023 and securing the eighth spot in Europe.
Devoted fans of the market have pledged to continue their annual visits, undeterred by the prices.
Tony Jones, a Birmingham resident, expressed his enthusiasm: “I think it’s amazing, it’s the best time of the year and it’s really entertaining. It’s once a year and I come every year. I love it, I do.
“Everybody is really happy, it’s a great atmosphere.”
His girlfriend Chloe Flynn shared her thoughts on the beer prices: “It is expensive for the beers, but because it’s German beer you don’t even need that many to get drunk.”
Stan Felton chimed in: “I think the one drink rule is OK. You can only drink one thing at a time. It’s like one wife, one car, one home – you don’t need more than one thing at a time sometimes.
“Some people they don’t want to queue but they have to understand waiting is important. It’s about being patient and having compassion.”
The Birmingham Christmas Market is open from 1 November to 24 December in Victoria Square and New Street.
– Double pint of beer: £12.50
– Pint of beer: £7
– Half-pint of beer: £4.50
– Wheat beer: £6.50
– Shandy pint: £7
– Alcohol-free beer: £7
– Gluhwein: £6.50
– Aperol Spritz: £7.50
– Prosecco: £6
– Hot chocolate with Baileys: £7
– Bratwurst: £6.50
– Half-metre-long bratwurst: £9
– Frankfurt sausage: £5.50
– Currywurst: £7
– Vegan bratwurst: £6.50
– Burger: £5
– Pork steak: £7
– Chips: £4
– Garlic bread: £4
– Falafel wrap: £6
– Pretzels: £4
– Crepes: £4.50Roasted almonds (per 100g) – £4.50
Churros – £4.50
Despite attempts by the Manchester Evening News to get a comment from the organisers of Birmingham Christmas Market, there was no response.
