A very uninspiring Christmas market
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
December 11, 2015 5:24am CST
A Christmas Market has been erected in Manchester, which just happens to be situated alongside the new Metrolink station that I have been using. This made the market not only worth taking a look around but also very convenient for me.
Superficially it does appear to be interesting, although after having a stroll around all the stalls my impression was far less favourable. There are a few that are selling alcoholic drinks or coffees and snacks, but at almost hilarious prices.
There was nothing to justify the use of the term Christmas, with most stalls offering items such as scented candles, unusual wines, plaques and artwork etcetera.
I did find one stall selling homemade cheeses in a myriad of varieties and chose to purchase a round of Seaweed Cheese. They had a few novel recipes, including Nettle Cheese that seemed tempting. Nevertheless, at £9 for around 500 grams I was not prepared to buy more than one.
14 people like this
15 responses
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
11 Dec 15
It has happened the same here with a book market that used to be wonderful for book lovers. Then book prices went down and entrance was free as it was done at a park. Now it is done in a big gallery and I´m sure that books are more expensive than at a book shop. They also charge entrance except if you have an invitation for a reading.
3 people like this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
11 Dec 15
@Asylum THe idea of a book marked was inicially to offer books at a lesser price so that more people bought them. I can go with no new clothes but I need books so that market should not be intended for me.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Dec 15
@marguicha personally I have not read a book for many years. My eyesight began to depreciate quite seriously, thus making regular reading a less desirable pastime.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
12 Dec 15
They are basically farmers markets with a bit of tinsel - Glueweins are very nice but cheaper to buy a bottle to drink at home than their cups to drink there
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
12 Dec 15
@arthurchappell You may have a point there Arthur. It would certainly constitute a healthy profit if numerous cups are not returned.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
12 Dec 15
@Asylum many people keep the cups as souvenirs so the £2 is then extra profit for the traders
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
11 Dec 15
yeah some of the pricing in these markets is incredible... it seems to me they are their own worst enemies... if the prices were more reasonable ... they would get more sales.... what a shame ... it seems like a missed opportunity..... 
2 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
11 Dec 15
@Asylum what a shame .. for the stall holders and the people of manchester... some christmas markets are really very good.... the ones I went to in cambridge and bury st edmunds, were both very good....
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Dec 15
@sueznewz2 I always enjoy a stroll around a market, whether a Christmas one or just an ordinary market, but this was well below the standard I was expecting.
1 person likes this
@zebra2222 (5268)
• United States
12 Dec 15
There are places around here that won't excite you when you go shopping.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
11 Dec 15
I can't wait to hear your review of the cheese, I think the unique cheeses would have tempted me as well.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Dec 15
@BelleStarr The shelf life of cheese does not really interest me because it does not go off whatever the dates on the wrapper say. It was simply the price that deterred me from buying both.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
11 Dec 15
@Asylum Since we are two people and often have the kids, we would be able to eat it in a reasonable time. I love cheese too.
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Dec 15
My idea of Christmas giving and gifts is love wrapped up in a bow! I am not cheap--I give gifts all year round! :O)
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91116)
• United States
11 Dec 15
I certainly would have been enticed by the scented candles stall.
@garymarsh6 (24026)
• United Kingdom
11 Dec 15
Good lord above. That is very expensive. I hope it is not disappointing once you try it. I bet it appeared more authentic when it got dark at 2PM.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 Yes, our daylight began at 8-14 AM, so it was a very long day. No wonder I am so weary now.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24026)
• United Kingdom
11 Dec 15
@Asylum Good lord that is almost like eternal daylight for you up there!
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
11 Dec 15
Maybe it is because it is a new one. It might improve with time
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Dec 15
@Missmwngi It was erected as a temporary site and will disappear in a couple of weeks.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
11 Dec 15
@Asylum Well nowadays you never know what to expect
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382147)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Dec 15
Cheese is really expensive. Vince doesn't like cheese much at all and I only like a few types so that's one thing we don't splurge on. Mind you, there are plenty of things left that we do splurge on.
