Almost 14 million people intend to visit the Great British pub during the festive period, making it the most popular place outside of the home to spend Christmas, the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker has revealed.

28% of Brits said they plan to visit the pub between 24 and 31 December this year, 3% more than those expecting to visit a restaurant and 15% more than those expecting to visit a bar. Young people are leading this trend with 37% of 18 to 24 year olds and 36% of 25 to 34 year olds confirming that they intend to spend time over the Christmas period in the pub.

The Leisure Spend Tracker has also shown that while 31% of men anticipate spending some of the holidays in the pub this year, women are not far behind; 25% of women expect to spend some of the festive period in the pub.

Commenting on this month’s Leisure Spend Tracker, Rob Rees, Greene King group marketing director said: “Christmas is always a great time for the pub which offers a festive, comforting and fun environment for all. It’s great to see that the British public is looking forward to the festive season, despite 2016 having been a busy and eventful year, and that many of them will be celebrating in the pub.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• In October, the average British household spent £212 on out of home leisure, a £6 (3%) increase year-on-year and a £7 (3%) increase month-on-month.
• October was a very positive month for Drinking Out, with increased spend year-on year, and no change month-on-month.
• Year-on-year, Drinking Out continues to have a very strong 2016, with October the seventh month this year with a year-on-year increase in spend. Spend in October increased by £1 (3%) year-on-year, with households with kids exhibiting the largest increase in spending – of £4 (8%) – for the second month in succession.
• Other Leisure continued to struggle, with a £2 (2%) decrease in spending year-on-year.