Stands selling freshly roasted chestnuts are a common feature of Christmas fairs around Slovenia, but in Ljubljana it also appears to be big business judging by a recent auction at which the city leased out stands in location with the densest footfall.

The most coveted booth on Prešeren Square in the centre of the city was auctioned off for €EUR 51,500, well above the starting price of €9,000 or last year's price of €9,500, as two bidders engaged in intense and at times acrimonious bidding.

In the end the stall went to Profrut, a company which already runs a cafe in the square, amidst accusations by several bidders that it was only trying to sideline the competition.

Two more booths near the Ljubljanica River were leased for €17,000 and €7,000, respectively. Three more booths with starting prices between €500 and €1,500 remain unleased and might be auctioned again.

The winning bidder will have to sell a considerable amount of chestnuts over the four-month lease period. Last year a small serving of chestnut cost €2.5 and a big portion €4.5.