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Sun, 08 Nov 2026

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 Traders 'priced out' of £12,000 Christmas market pitches

Stall holders said they'd met the council leader to express their concerns at high costs since a new operator took over.

* Local traders in Liverpool claim they have been priced out of this year's Christmas market due to high stall rental fees.
* A £12,000 quote was given to Anthony Grice for a single-day stall at the St George's Plateau attraction.
* Business owners met with Council Leader Liam Robinson to discuss concerns about affordability and the new operator, Underbelly, which won the contract to run the market on quality and price.
* Jeweller Alex Healy said she couldn't afford to return to the market this year due to a £14,000-£15,000 quote for a small stall.
* Robinson met with traders, including Healy, to discuss ways the council could support local businesses and offered to explore alternative options.
* The Liberal Democrat opposition group's leader, Carl Cashman, described the prices as "a rip-off" and said it was too big a risk for small businesses to take on.