Nottingham's Christmas Winter Wonderland has become bigger and more ambitious every year, apart from the blip during the pandemic when the world was thrown into chaos. Around one million visitors from Nottingham and beyond are expected to descend on the city over the festive season.
This year around 60 stalls are selling food and drink and gifts and the UK's first ever aerial skate path allows skaters to glide high above Old Market Square. At the heart of it is a 60ft Christmas tree decked out with 4,000 twinkly LED lights. It's magical, especially when the rain stops and the artificial snow starts to come down overhead as Chrimbo songs play.
But the event has divided opinion like never before. There's those who will pay any price to attend and others who say they can't afford to go as the cost-of-living crisis bites even harder in the run-up to Christmas.
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With five bars - including Sur La Piste, the Ice Bar and the Helter Skelter Bar - there's no chance of going thirsty as long as you can afford the prices. Will revellers be prepared to pay £7.50 for a pint of IPA Neck Oil when Wetherspoon's Joseph Else opposite is selling beer at around half the price?
It costs a family of four £38 to £45 for 75 minutes on the ice. Add in food and drinks and a couple of fairground rides and you're looking at £100. "Winter Wonderland for the well off," is how Nottighamshire Live reader Peter Steel described it. Organisers, the Mellors Group, however, said it costs an enormous amount of money to stage the six-week event.
As many readers complained about the prices, Debbie Welbourn posted: "Omg there's no pleasing some people!" Di Warden added: "It's amazing, just had a walk through in the rain, coming back Sunday to bring one of my granddaughters."
Richard Harvey said: "What a creative way to use the blank canvas provided by the Old Market Square. Let's hope it attracts many, many visitors to our wonderful city." Sandra Scoot White commented: "The skate path has really lit up the Market Square."
Other views are the polar opposite. John Buckley said: "You can get a pint across the road and save four quid - their pricing is mental. It's going to be exclusive to people with money to burn unfortunately." And Julie Henshaw pointed out: "Think they're living in their own wonderland if they think people can afford what they're charging."
Kieron Willans added: "I visited with some friends this evening having had dinner at the nearby Wetherspoons. The whole thing looked lovely - no disrespect to the food traders but times are hard for all of us so we have to budget accordingly. People will buy from the vendors of course but that is their own choice."
Lisa Hutchinson said: "I'll have a walk round then up to Spoons. Not paying those prices, I go to work and can't afford those prices."
Brad Mckay commented: "I predict it failing massively, and probably not be on again! With the cost-of-living so high most families are already at breaking point. With Christmas round the corner it’s just not affordable to most families. I can’t see it becoming that busy."
Yvonne MG suggested: "Why not just go traditional with stalls and a Santa's grotto that children and families can enjoy, instead of extortionately expensive where only those WITH money to spare can enjoy. So unfair."
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