Number of Brits going for meals in December triples, survey discovers

November 2015

Number of Brits going for meals in December triples, survey discovers: According to a survey, restaurants and pubs are experiencing increasing numbers of bookings in December, with eateries such as Toby Carvery, Harvester and Sizzling Pubs revealing that diners are choosing to eat Christmas dinner throughout December, not just on the 25th. Figures from the restaurants and pubs have revealed that the number of bookings in December have triples in recent years.

Figures from Mitchells & Butlers – the umbrella company behind brands such as Miller & Carter, Browns, All Bar One, O’Neill’s, Vintage Inns and Ember Inns – suggested that the number of meals sold in the first fortnight in December have increased three fold since 2012, from 90,000 to 272,000 in 2014.

A recent survey of consumers revealed that 65 per cent of people would be having more than two Christmas dinners in December and 7 per cent said that they would be going for more than five.

82 per cent of the respondents said that they were going to celebrate over a meal with family and 64 per cent of people looked forward to this the most. As well as this, 30 per cent expect to celebrate with friends (30 per cent) and at the office party (20 per cent), although, more than 10 per cent of people look forward to Christmas parties the least.

When looking at how far people are willing to travel for their Christmas dinner, 75 per cent said that they are willing to travel less than 5 miles, as people favour celebrating close to home.

Those residing in the East Midlands were found to be the willing to travel the greatest distance for their Christmas dinner, with approximately 20 per cent of people being willing to travel more than 21 miles. However, more than 10 per cent of those who live in Wales and the South West are willing to travel more than 50 miles.

Figures from another survey revealed that families in Scotland will have the most guests to entertain on Christmas Day, with 14 per cent of people questioned having 15 guests or more over.