Whether you’re popping to the supermarket or dining out, fifty quid doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. With the cost of living crisis looming, no one ventures to Manchester Christmas Markets expecting a bargain.

Let’s face it, it’s never been a steal, but we’re all feeling the pinch more than ever – traders and shoppers alike. That’s why Manchester Evening News’ Parents Editor Emma Gill was assigned to explore the markets as a party of four. She went to gauge the cost of a quick bite and a hot chocolate.

The Bratwurst are among the crowd favourites – and some of the most affordable options – but, at £8 each, four of them still set Emma back £32 from the stall at Cathedral Gardens.

Next, she ordered four hot chocolates, which, at £9.50 apiece, totalled £38. For that price, you get to keep the festive mugs they’re served in (and so you should) or you can return them after your drink for a £3.50 refund on each one.

So all in all, with the mugs returned, Emma was down by £56 and pondering what people must be shelling out if they’re ‘out for a few’, or heaven forbid, ‘out out’.

Their food and drink vanished in an instant too, reports Manchester Evening News.

Reflecting on her experience, Emma shared: “Having cream on the hot chocolates means they need drinking pretty quick before they go cold, but even I was shocked at how fast the kids threw them down their necks.

“And that’s the thing with the markets, isn’t it. Yes, you can have a little wander and enjoy the decorations – and there is some free entertainment including the huge Christmas Day Parade which comes to the city on Sunday, December 7 – but really you need a decent amount of money to be able to enjoy it properly.

“And for a lot of people at the moment, they just don’t have that cash to spare.

“Don’t get me wrong, the sausages were decent – and we’d highly recommend the pork, honey and marmalade sausage if you’re getting one – but it’s hard to justify spending nearly £60 on something that we could eat and drink for a fraction of the price at home. And we wouldn’t even have to queue.”