'Christmas markets can be expensive - but they make us happy'

Every year the complaints about British Christmas markets are similar - they are too expensive, they are overcrowded and the products are not traditional enough.

Yet when the BBC visited three festive events in Leeds, York and Sheffield, marketgoers said that despite the occasional high price, the concept made them "happy" and was worth travelling a long distance for.

York Christmas market attracts thousands of visitors, although it has faced criticism for its crowd management and the price of food and drink.

It is organised by tourism body Make It York and has a local feel, with artisans from the city selling their goods from the chalets.

This year, the layout had been altered to improve pedestrian flow and safety - there are fewer huts and walkways are wider.

Ana Laurentino and Maria Fernanda Kobayashi are both originally from Brazil but are currently living in Lancaster.

Ana said they came to York as they heard it was "one of the best in the UK".

"It's been less expensive and overwhelming than others like Edinburgh as there's not as many people here on a weekday," Ana said.

Maria added it had been an "amazing experience" to see the market lit up by festive lights, and added: "The stalls are spread around and not in one place so it's not too crowded."

Their sentiments were shared by Sarah, 51, from Barnsley, and Nigel, 58, from Birmingham, as they shopped for Christmas presents.

"Seeing the market lit up at night after being here all day is super and I recommend it to everyone," Nigel said.

Sarah added that the chocolate stalls reflected the city's confectionery manufacturing history.

York's prices for staple purchases range from hot chocolate at £4.50, glühwein for £6.50 and bratwurst sausages for £6.99.

The Leeds event, organised by the city council, is in its second year of a new layout after poor feedback when it was spread across 13 different locations.

Chalets are now concentrated on City Square and there are other attractions on Millennium Square.

It has weathered some problems this year - the roof of one of the bars collapsed earlier this week due to heavy rain, closing that part of the market.

Explaining the pricing structure of goods on sale, fudge stall owner Ashley said that traders had to make up the rent they paid for their pitches.

The beer at Ranch bar is £6 for a pint, and bratwurst sausages are £7. Cups of German mulled wine start at £5.

Visiting on a Tuesday evening, Gaurav Sharame said it did not feel very busy and lacked an atmosphere.

Sonia Zidane, a tourist from Qatar, said: "I always enjoy Christmas markets wherever I am in the world, I love street food so that's why I love it here in Leeds."

Sheffield City Council organises its Christmas market with Percival Markets & Events, and the focus is very much on local producers. It has 50 rustic-style log cabins and alpine-themed bars.

Drinks are priced from £4.50 for a hot chocolate, £6 for mulled wine, and £7 for glühwein.

Lucy, 22, and Ellie, 21, were soaking up the atmosphere on a weekday.

"I think I prefer it at night just because the lights are just so much brighter and you just get more of a feel for it," Ellie said.

They had paid £7.50 each for a bratwurst, hot off the grill.

"It's as you can expect, so it's a little bit more expensive for general things but you have got to factor in the price for hire and all of the vendors," Lucy added.

Lucy, who is from Chester, explained that she often visits her local Christmas market, and she thinks the prices there are roughly the same as in Sheffield.

Further along the row of alpine chalets, Gavin Nicol, from Bournemouth, was enjoying some roasted chestnuts.

"It's really nice, very comfy, very cosy" he said.

Gary Williams, 69, who strolled through the market with his daughter and grandson, was full of praise.

While he agreed with others that prices can be steep, he said he was happy to pay a little more for the experience.

"Makes me happy, so it must make other people happy," he said.

Explaining the growth of European-style Christmas markets in the UK over the past decade, Catherine Shuttleworth, founder of Savvy Marketing, said the events were often priced similarly to counterparts in countries such as Germany and Austria.

"One of the reasons they are set up every year is because the council wants more footfall, but people now see them as part of the tradition and build-up of Christmas," she explained.

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