Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Liverpool traders say £12,000 Christmas market pitches are unaffordable
Liverpool traders say they are being priced out of this year’s Christmas market after a new operator took over.
Anthony Grice said he was quoted £12,000 for a stall at the event on St George’s Plateau.
Underbelly now runs the market under a contract with Liverpool City Council, which knew the prices offered to traders and will receive a share of some income.
Grice said the council did not know how many local traders had signed up.
He said local businesses should be able to showcase their products and that their absence would mean less of the city’s character at the market.
Council leader Liam Robinson met business owners to hear their concerns and said the authority would consider different options in future.
The council has not said what changes it might make.
Traders say they cannot afford to take stalls at Liverpool’s Christmas market after a new operator took over.
Anthony Grice said he was quoted £12,000 for a stall at the St George’s Plateau attraction.
Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said he had met business owners to hear their concerns and consider options for the future.
Robinson said the council knew the new operator’s price structure when it awarded the contract and would receive a share of some income.
- Who
- Liverpool Christmas market traders, including Anthony Grice, and operator Underbelly.
- What
- Traders say they are priced out by stall costs; Grice said he was quoted £12,000.
- When
- This year's Christmas market; the article was published on 8 November 2026.
- Where
- St George’s Plateau, Liverpool.
- Why
- Traders say they cannot afford the prices offered by the new operator, Underbelly.
Liverpool traders
Liverpool City Council
Affordability
Liverpool traders
Traders say the stall prices put them out of the market.
Liverpool City Council
The council said it knew the operator’s price structure when it awarded the contract.
Representation
Liverpool traders
Grice said local traders’ concerns were being “swept under the carpet” and questioned how many had signed up.
Liverpool City Council
Robinson said he had met business owners to understand their challenges and consider options for the future.
Underbelly won the contract to run the event, and the council was aware of its price structure.
Grice said he was quoted £12,000 for a stall at the St George’s Plateau attraction.
Robinson said he met business owners to hear their challenges and consider future options.
- Stall quote
- £12,000
- Attraction
- St George’s Plateau, Liverpool
- New operator
- Underbelly
- Council leader
- Liam Robinson
- Published
- 8 November 2026
What people are saying
I asked how many local traders had signed up, and the council didn't know
These markets should be a chance to showcase the best of what you've got, but not having the 'Scouse soul' there is so annoying.
Aren't our people good enough?
understand the challenges and the issues that they might have had this year