Christmas spend is forecast to reach £13.3bn, but more on price than footfall

UK consumers are expected to spend £13.3bn in pubs, bars and restaurants this December, up 3%, according to VoucherCodes' Shopping for Christmas report, covered by The Morning Advertiser.

The growth is coming mostly from prices. Some 44% of consumers say they plan to visit fewer venues, and the report expects a 2.3% rise in people hosting at home.

Where the visits are forecast to go - Pubs: 9.26m visitors, up 1.7% - Bars: 4.35m visitors, up 1.3% - Restaurants: 9.69m visitors, down 0.9% - Christmas markets: 12.6m visitors, down 1.8%

VoucherCodes points to live music, private dining and special menus as reasons that get people out of the house.

What it means for operators: we would plan December on fewer, higher-value occasions rather than a fuller diary. That puts the weight on pre-booked group spend, deposits and set-menu pricing, and on labour scheduled to the peak days rather than spread across the month. Pub-led estates look best placed, while restaurant groups may need a sharper reason to book.