The average spend on a late-night out has increased 15.5% to £68.68, according to the latest Deltic Night Index, compared with £59.49 for the same period last year. The rise was driven by an 11.7% year-on-year increase in spending on food (£16.20), a 10.3% increase on in-venue drinks (£19.25) and a 32.1% increase in spending on transport (£12.02).
The quarterly report found almost three-fifths (58.1%) of consumers go on a night out at least once a week, with the average night out 4 hours and 35 minutes. Almost two-fifths (39.4%) of consumers spend three to four hours on a night out, with 37.2% spending five to six hours out. Recommendations (55.6%) are the most important factor people consider when choosing where to go on a night out, while Facebook (25.8%) remains the second most important factor. Seeing friends (68.1%) is the main reason for going on a night out, followed by escaping the stresses of daily life (44.0%).
When respondents were asked to rate their local town or city for culture and leisure, more than half (54.2%) rated their typical daytime leisure activities (including food on the go, bowling and gyms) as “good” or “amazing” – a sentiment felt particularly strongly by the 18 to 25 age bracket (60.1%). The provision of typical evening leisure activities (including cinemas and restaurants) was even more popular, with almost three-fifths (57.4%) citing it as “good” or “amazing”, rising to 69.0% among 18 to 21-year-olds. More than half (50.7%) rate their local area as “good” or “amazing” for night-time leisure activities.
More than two-thirds (68.2%) agree their local casual dining options are “good”, while 57.2% and 53.4% said the same about the day and evening, and late-night leisure options respectively. Respondents were most happy with leisure options available between midday and 6pm (70.3%), with 65.1% of consumers happy with options from 6pm and 11pm, and 51.2% satisfied with late-night options. Less than three-fifths (57.4%) think their town or city has enough late-night leisure options, compared with 67.6% who believe there are enough casual dining options.
The Deltic Group chief executive Peter Marks said, “Given the ongoing pressures the UK’s retail and leisure industries face it is fantastic – and perhaps surprising – to see so many Brits feel so positively about their towns and cities and the leisure offerings within them. If anything, it seems consumers are looking for even more variety, demonstrating how important it is for operators to work together with local governments and other stakeholders to enrich our towns and cities by providing a great round-the-clock offer for people to enjoy.”