Manchester’s Christmas Markets are one of the highlights of the city’s calendar, there’s no denying it.
Thousands of tourists and locals flock to the city centre every year to pick up a present, taste a Bratwurst, and indulge in some mulled wine. As the Markets envelop Market Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, Piccadilly Gardens, and Cathedral Square, they become impossible to miss.
To some residents, however, it's signal to steer clear of town. As the city centre becomes more crowded, they prefer to stick to the city’s quieter shopping spots.
READ MORE: Armed response after woman robbed at knifepoint near Manchester Christmas Markets
But what do the small businesses who are in town all year around think of the stalls that spring up alongside them for just a few weeks of the year? The Manchester Evening News spoke to traders on Market Street, King Street, and Piccadilly Gardens to see how the opening week had been.
“If they weren’t here I probably wouldn’t make as much money”
Sugar Hut is right in the thick of Market Street. Positioned right at the end of Spring Gardens, the van is next to a busy Tesco store, opposite several Christmas stalls, facing an entrance to the Arndale.
There cannot be many higher footfalls in the country — and that only increases when the Christmas stalls open, Barbra Scappaticci tells the MEN .
“For us there is an increase — when they didn’t block the entrance, so people coming from the Arndale can actually see us — and overall [there’s] an increase for sure, but people browse more than purchase," she said. If they weren’t here I probably wouldn’t make as much money, it brings people in.”
Next door is What A Potato, which has been nourishing Mancs with carbohydrates for years. Sally Ingham has only good things to say about the Christmas Markets.
“We always get busier," she said. "It brings people into town. It’s good. It’s really good.”
Callum Jolliffe, staff at The Brogue Trader at King Street, is also positive. He said: “I think everyone is quite happy that it's an authentic market with lots of people from different countries putting up stalls and we do get a good footfall. Lots of tourists come in wanting a good English-made shoe, so its generally pretty good for us.”
Mate, a specialised e-bike shop neighbouring on King Street, is also doing well, according to Connor Quinn.“We have seen a solid increase,” he said. “It has had a positive effect.
But his enthusiasm is tempered - he says trade is 'lower' when fences are erected during the setting up period. And he's not the only one.
“When there’s fencing up people cannot see us”
Poppy Lewis, based on Market Street, has also found her food business obscured from shoppers' view by fences in the run-up to the markets - although it has its compensations.
“It’s a bit busier,” she said. “Some years it was good, and some years it was bad. Last year it helped. It brings people on to Market Street. On a bad day, though, you’re not sure. I honestly don’t know.
“I think it helps us when it is on Market Street, people walk up here more. But before they open, there’s fencing up so people cannot see us. A week before they open, it’s quiet. As soon as they open again, it gets better.”
Another trader, who gave his name as Tony Burger, working in the Louis van just off Piccadilly Gardens, isn't entirely sold. He told the MEN : “At the weekends, it gets better. It’s nothing amazing, though. People like to go and get ripped off.
“People do not care what they are spending. Personally, I would not be seen dead there. The food is not worth it. The people will come here [to this van] and they come back. It’s nice, fresh food and it’s not over-priced.”
Sadly, trade hadn't risen for Justin Green, the Big Issue seller on St Ann’s Square. He and his dog Bumper are homeless, and rely on the sale of the magazines.
“I’ve only sold two copies this week," he told us. "Normally I would sell two or three a day. It’s been bad. The first day the Markets opened, and the Friday and Saturday were good, but since then it’s been nothing.”
Manchester City Council has been approached for comment.
You can support Manchester's famous Christmas Markets until December 22 - and the permanent businesses in the city centre all year round.
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