They're designed to leave visitors feeling full of festive cheer - but if anything, this year's underwhelming Christmas markets have turned the UK into a nation of Scrooges. In the past two weeks, hundreds of festive stalls have popped up in cities all over the UK - from Dickensian-inspired shops in Belfast to wintery chalets in Bath. But rather than bringing people together at Christmas, these markets - with their overpriced food and 'tatty' gifts - have been tearing local communities apart. Earlier this week, TikTok user Rubie went viral when she shared a video of the huge crowds that Manchester Christmas market (left), which is expected to attract nine million tourists this year. Filming herself in the centre of a mass of people, Rubie sarcastically wrote: 'Come to Manchester Christmas Market, they said. It'll be fun, they said.' However, Manchester isn't the only city being criticised for its Christmas market - as other social media users have also threatened to 'boycott' their local pop-ups in York and Birmingham. Here FEMAIL delves into how the tide is turning on the once beloved Christmas tradition. Centre: £10 tub of chips on sale in Manchester Christmas market. Right: Belfast Christmas market stall selling viking drinking horns from £15.
