Pubs sales up 16.8% in wake of bank holiday weekend
Transactions were up 16.8% in comparison to the previous Saturday, and 2.5x as many sales were processed vs the average day in 2024 so far
Transactions at pubs, bars and clubs reached a 2024-high on Saturday 4 May, as the sunny weather and bank holiday weekend encouraged Brits to make a trip to their local area, according to Barclays Consumer Spend data.
Transactions were up 16.8% in comparison to the previous Saturday, and 2.5x as many sales were processed versus the average day in 2024 so far.
Last year, the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla coincided with the early May bank holiday weekend, providing pubs and bars with a 26.7% uplift, in comparison with the equivalent dates in 2022.
In spite of the rainy weather, Brits made the most of the long bank holiday weekend and celebrated the Coronation.
More broadly, The Barclays April Consumer Spend Index showed that pubs, bars and clubs enjoyed a 3.9% boost in April, however Brits cut back on spending on eating and drinking overall in the month, with restaurants seeing a -13.1% decline, hampered by the cold weather in the month.
This comes as half (49%) of UK adults say they are concerned about how much they spend on food and drink. The same proportion (49%) are making the effort to cut back on discretionary spending.
However consumers’ confidence in their ability to spend more on non-essential items improved, reaching 56%, which might suggest that falling inflation, easing interest rates and better weather will spur spending.
Rich Robinson, head of Hospitality and Leisure at Barclays, said: “Improving consumer confidence gives more cause for optimism for the hospitality industry. As the summer season approaches, the weather improves, and with major sporting and entertainment events on the horizon, pubs and restaurants will undoubtedly be hopeful that spending will rebound in the coming months.”