My son’s £12.56 bag of pick and mix from Christmas Markets was an utter disgrace

Published 10/12/2022 · Updated 10/12/2022

Nobody goes to a pick and mix stall expecting it to be cheap. I’ve been a parent for 14 years now so I’m only too aware of the places I’m likely to be fleeced. While generally we’ll try to cut costs by taking our own treats along to places like the cinema, for example, there are some times when it’s just nice for the kids to have a treat isn’t it? – a trip to Manchester Christmas Markets being one of them.

READ MORE: The ultimate guide to Christmas events for kids in Manchester The chance for a child, or anyone for that matter, to choose their favourites from an abundance of brightly coloured sweets is a much more enjoyable experience than picking up a bargain bag from the supermarkets or the likes of B&M. The phrase ‘like a kid in a sweet shop’ exists for a reason.

With that in mind I let my son loose at the Kingdom of Sweets stall, which is inside the Cathedral Gardens zone of the festive markets, next to the Skate Manchester ice rink.

The Kingdom of Sweets stall, inside the Cathedral Gardens zone of Manchester Christmas Markets (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)

I say ‘let loose’, but he was under my watchful eye and given the usual ‘no, that’s too many’ reminders as he attempted to pile his scoop high. In short, I made sure he didn’t ‘go mad’ and picked up a reasonable amount, expecting it to come to around a fiver, maybe a little more. So you can imagine how shocked I was when given the total – GBP12.56!

There are signs up informing customers it’s GBP2.99 per 100g, but it’s hard to work out the weight of your goodies until they actually hit the scales. While the company says it’s ‘comparable with other premium location retailers’, the cost does seem particularly excessive. Only last month one mum shared her shock at the GBP47 she paid for two bags of pick and mix at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland.

Yet even its price, GBP2.79 for 100g from the Great British Fudge Company, was less than in Manchester.

It's GBP2.99 for 100g It’s GBP2.99 for 100g (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)

I took a photo of the contents of the bag to show you the rather pitiful haul we got for the money. The huge marshmallow probably makes it look a little better, but that was one of the lighter items. Don’t get me wrong, my kids will eat it.

All that’s left is me struggling to stomach the bill. Prices have already been in the spotlight at the markets this year. We reported last week how some visitors left scathing reviews of the markets, with some complaints centred on prices not being displayed outside stalls and of hot chocolate increasing in price.

The Dutch Mini Pancake stall also came under fire for increasing prices a few weeks after opening – blaming it on the cost of stock in the UK. Councillor Pat Karney, lead spokesperson on Christmas for Manchester City Council, said: “We don’t tell traders how much to charge for their products on the Christmas Markets as we don’t know the costs involved at any time to produce them, but we will check out any complaints that are brought to us.

The pick and mix costing GBP12.56 (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)

“Stallholders are however obviously subject to the same demands as other retailers in that if what they’re selling is too expensive, customers won’t buy their products.” He stressed how much the council is doing to help families this year, with free events including the city’s first Christmas Parade which takes place this Sunday.

“Of course we’re very conscious of the cost-of-living crisis and how it is affecting everyone at the moment,” said Coun Karney. “We know that not everyone has the cash to splash out on a hot chocolate or gluhwein, which is why our Christmas offer isn’t just about the markets this year. “The city centre is at its sparkling best at the moment with our famous big Santa in St Peter’s Square and a fabulous Christmas lights trail that includes walk-through baubles and stars, Christmas trees, and a twinkling Manchester bee – all of which are free to discover and enjoy.

The Kingdom of Sweets stall (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)

“We’ve also got a fantastic programme of free fun for families each weekend between now and Christmas with a series of magical Festive Sundays funded in partnership with city centre business partners, and, in a festive first for the city, the first ever Manchester Christmas Parade which is coming up this weekend on Sunday, December 11.”

A Kingdom of Sweets spokesperson said:” Our prices are clearly displayed per 100g and are comparable with other premium location retailers. Staff are trained to allow customers to leave the purchase if their selection is too heavy or take some out to bring the price down. Our own costs have risen by between 25 and 40 per cent in the last year, but we have not increased prices.”

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