Member Article

Staying in the new going out, says Deloitte

Northerners are planning to stay at home more often and reduce the number of times they go out to eat and drink, according a new survey.

Deloitte and BDRC Continental anticipate a 2.7% fall in the number of occasions Northerners plan to eat out or go for a drink over the next six months.

This figure compares with an estimated 5.8% increase in the South East, suggesting that businesses who are predominantly northern-based may bear the brunt of the current difficult economic climate.

The survey also showed the increasing popularity of a Northern cafe culture, with with coffee and sandwich shops now accounting for almost one in three eating and drinking occasions in the region.

Paul Feechan, lead partner for Consumer business at Deloitte in Newcastle, said:

“The results of the survey demonstrate just how resilient café culture is in the North, with findings estimating that it will account for 30% of the market share over the next six months.

“Although café culture is going strong, if we combine results from the bar and pub sector, we see a more resilient picture of its current market share at 41%. However, this looks set to decline over the next six months signalling that the pub and bar sector need to adapt their offering to suit changing consumer tastes”

Figures put the percentages of trips to pubs at 24%, with bars comprising 17% of visits.

Predictions suggest that pubs will be the hardest hit, with a predicted 6.5% decline in food trade as well as a downturn in the drinks market. In particular, the drinks market will see a drop in the number of middle aged men drinking in pubs, according to the survey.

The bar sector sees a similar decline estimated at 6.1%, however the survey highlights that there are opportunities for bars to look to attract food-led business away from pubs.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .