It’s become a Christmas tradition for the Bown family
16:32, 24 Dec 2025Updated 16:33, 24 Dec 2025
Leon and Beth Bown with their daughter Hannah, 16(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
Liverpool’s Christmas Markets were packed with crowds today just hours before the stalls of festive crafts and German sausages finished up for another year.
St George’s Plateau, which has hosted the market for nine years now, was still busy this afternoon with smiling shoppers lining up for hot food, last-minute gifts and entertaining rides. Couple Leon and Beth Bown were wandering around the cobbles with their 16 year-old daughter Hannah and they all live in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.
They visit Liverpool every winter to see family in Gateacre, and always make sure they include a trip to the markets while they’re on Merseyside.
Leon said: “We always used to come to this market every year with my wife’s father, who unfortunately passed away last year.
“It’s a family tradition and that’s the main reason. But also the scenery around here, it’s just lovely. You’re surrounded by all these amazing old buildings as well. It’s super easy to get to as well.”
Some have complained about the historic site surrounding St George’s Hall, but Leon and Hannah believe the surroundings, as well as it being both spacious and self-enclosed, make it a better location than its previous site in Church Street, or others such as Manchester which are spread across several busy streets.
In Manchester, many of the wooden huts were dismantled early yesterday and customers were nowhere to be seen. One long-term stall holder labelled it as the “worst Christmas markets” in the city for 20 years.
Hannah said: “My sister lives in Manchester. She said the markets there seem to be very spread out, whereas this is enclosed, so it’s easy to get around.”
Their one complaint though was the stalls being expensive. John laughed as he commented: “It’s just the prices really but that’s Great Britain right now – that’s one of the reasons we live in Thailand!”
Vendors set their own prices and can therefore charge what they deem appropriate in order to ensure they make a profit once business costs have been evaluated.
Affordability was also cited by Erica Culshaw, 38, who had travelled to the markets this morning from Rhyl in North Wales with her young sons Alexander and Stefan.
However, they were happy with getting a filling jacket potato from Spud Man. Spud Man, whose real name is Ben Newman, has attracted customers from around the country with his travelling food van and hot spuds.
Ben, who is from Tamworth in the Midlands, has teamed up with Scouser John Dickson, AKA John the Spud, in what is their first time at the Liverpool Markets.
From left, Spud Man, John Newman, and John the Spud, John Dickson(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
Erica said: “We’ve come mainly for Spud Man. We’ve been to see him everywhere. He’s someone who has affordable prices unlike other people.”
A plain jacket potato will set you back £6, with most toppings priced at £7 bar the BBQ pulled pork (£12).
Ben believes it’s their prices which are the biggest selling points. He said: ”Obviously, it’s not a cheap thing for us to put on, but we try and be reasonable.”
John added: “We’ve tried to make it a pleasant experience. It doesn’t cost you much money, you can bring your family and have a cheap meal.”
When we asked Ben why Liverpool’s Markets were still proving popular, he put it down to the city’s unique identity. He said: “Whatever the rest of the country is doing, Liverpool will do whatever it wants to do. I love it. I’ve had such a great time here.”
Liverpool’s Christmas Markets this afternoon(Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool Echo)
This is partly why Ben, who attracted hundreds to his van during a visit to Crosby this summer, wanted to turn up with local spud specialist John. He said: “I know how I would feel if a wagon came 200 yards down the road from where I’d pitched up. I thought, rather than go against the local, let’s get him involved.”
John says he gets along with Ben, although he jokes that he boasts 26 years of experience in jacket potato making compared to Ben’s measly 23.
For Clarke Storey, 43, from Doncaster, who organises the markets, how busy the markets are speaks for itself. He said: “I think there’s something for everybody to.
“Once they come here, it’s like a one stop shop. Where we’re standing now is Santa Land, this area is great for the families. Obviously we’ve got new traders each year, which gives it a new look. Spud Man, he’s never been here before.
“He’s had opportunities to go to Hyde Park and different places like that. He’s chosen to come here and asked if he can come back. There’s something for everybody. That’s what I think makes it thrive.”
Clarke said he tries to get in as many local traders as possible. Only small changes have been made this year, he said, including extending the indoor seating area. He thinks this is important as the main challenge the markets always face is the weather.
Given its popularity today, we asked Clarke if the markets could run into the new year next time around.
He said: “We’d love to go into the new year, to be honest with you. If we can take it up to January 2 or 3, just after the new year, that’s what I think it needs to be. Then there’s something for the kids to do and families to do in between the Christmas and new year.”