Jeweller 'priced out' of Christmas market stall this year

A young woman in a bright pink beanie hat is looking at the camera, taking a selfie. Behind her you can see a colourful market stall, filled with bracelets and bangles.

Image source, Alex HealyImage caption,

Alex Healy has sold her jewellery at the Christmas market in Liverpool since 2021

ByClaire Hamilton, Political Reporter Merseyside and Louisa King, North West

Published25 minutes ago

When silversmith Alex Healy was planning her return to work after maternity leave, the first date she hoped to add to her diary was Liverpool's Christmas market, an event where she had sold jewellery since 2021.

However, due to a change in operator and a rise in costs, Alex said this would be the first winter she would not be renting a stall and she and other traders were being "priced out".

A new company, Underbelly, has taken over this year, and Alex said the cost of running a stall had doubled.

Liverpool City Council, which awarded the tender to Underbelly to run the event at St George's Hall, said the markets offered a "cost-effective way for traders to showcase and sell their products". It added the new operator would manage their own trader arrangements independently. Underbelly has been asked for comment.

Alex, 37, said selling her jewellery at the Christmas market on St George's Plateau for the past five years had been a "really great place to be". She said the friendship between traders had created "a community, family feel".

Alex said she paid £6,780 including VAT and electricity to rent a chalet for the six-week market last year. She said the total cost of renting a chalet this year had risen to just under £14,000 before additional charges.

She said that, under the terms of a new contract, traders would be expected to pay additional charges for water and grey waste, chiller and storage space, and energy supply.

A woman with long blonde wavy hair stands by a festive market stall displaying jewellery smiling.

Image source, Alex HealyImage caption,

Alex says she is reluctant to raise her prices too high to help cover the extra cost

Alex said it felt like she and other traders were being "priced out" of an event that had previously been run by a smaller, local company. She added "I feel like Liverpool council have just treated us not even as a second thought really."

She said despite trying to take time off with her new baby, she had still been preparing for the market, as it usually provided 80% of her Christmas market income. She added that her business, Pare de Bijoux, might not survive if she could not afford to be part of the event.

A GCI image of how St George's Plateau might look at night with the new market in 2026. You can see the existing statues and grand columns of St George's Hall. In the foreground is an ice rink festooned with fairy lights and crowds of people filling the plateau.

Image source, Liverpool city councilImage caption,

Artists impression of how the 2026 market and ice rink could look

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "The operators at St George's Hall and Pier Head manage their own trader arrangements independently, however Liverpool Markets will once again be organising festive pop-up markets in locations across the city during the Christmas period." They added that these markets were "Designed to support local and independent businesses" and would offer a "cost-effective way for traders to showcase and sell their products."

A Christmas market has taken place on St George's Plateau in Liverpool for a decade.

Global events company Underbelly won the tender to operate the event earlier this year. The company already manages two festive events in central London.

The company said it would bring a new outdoor ice-skating experience, 'Skate St George's', to the city-centre landmark.

Ed Bartlam, co-founder of Underbelly, said: "Set against the magnificent backdrop of St George's Hall, we're looking forward to working with the local community to create a new seasonal highlight that complements Liverpool's festive calendar."

The company did not respond to a request for a specific comment to address the concerns over the rise in costs for vendors.

Liverpool council said the city's Christmas Markets attract more than 500,000 visitors each year and deliver "a significant economic boost to the city."