Eating out spend continues to rise

According to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker report, average household spend on eating out was up 4 per cent year-on-year (£3) to £76 in November. Households with kids increased spend by 22 per cent (£14) year-on-year.

In comparison, overall spend on leisure was down 8 per cent year-on-year (£16) to £193. This was driven by a 20 per cent fall in spend on ‘other leisure’ which includes activities such as going to the cinema, theatre and live sporting events.

Drinking Out spend was flat compared to last year, but was 4 per cent higher in November than in October.

Steve Jebson, Greene King’s commercial director, said: “The trend for eating out has, once again, improved this month, indicating that this is fast becoming an established staple of everyday family life.

“This month, eating out benefited from visitors to retail parks, particularly during last month’s ‘Black Friday’ week, when shoppers spent their leisure time looking for discounts on Christmas presents.

“It will be interesting to see how leisure spend in all categories fares over December, in the lead up to Christmas. Eating out and drinking out should benefit from the festive parties and celebrations, while other leisure may see a boost as the pantomime season gets underway and parents look to occupy the kids while on school holidays.”

Christmas report​

Greene King also conducted a special survey as part of the November report, asking consumers where they are planning to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year.

The pub emerged as the most popular place outside of the family home to spend Christmas Eve, with more than one in 10 people planning a trip to their local this year. A further 2.9m Brits said they were planning to go to the pub on Christmas day.

“Pubs are still very much at the heart of the community, especially when it comes to a special event like Christmas,” said Jebson.