Traders 'priced out' of Christmas Market site spots

LOCAL SELLERS SAY FEES 'EXTORTIONATE' FOR STALL SPOTS

- By KATIE OBORN

TRADERS said they felt 'priced out' of this year's Christmas Market, with fees rising by almost £3,000 to 'extortionate' levels, while attractions such as a helter skelter and Santa's grotto were promised but never materialised.

The festive attraction drew to a close at the weekend, with Sunday being the final trading day at The Piazza on Armada Way.

This year was the first year that new organisers, Market Place, have taken on Plymouth's festive market and said this December there has been "an additional trading week compared to last year, offering extended opportunities for sales".

But some local business owners said they "can't afford" to trade in the city centre's Christmas market as covering costs is "unaffordable", especially when selling craft items as opposed to food.

Some traders also said they "were promised" a big wheel, a helter skelter, a Victorian carousel and a Santa's grotto, but "none of it materialised".