UK hospitality could benefit from £505m on NYE

New Year’s celebrations could boost hospitality by £505m in pubs and bars, according to new data from music licensing company PPL PRS. 

Nearly five in 10 people (42%) plan on going out to celebrate, choosing the high street over home, with one in seven (13%) opting for a pub or bar.  Around one in five (19%) admit they’ll likely spend £100 or more while celebrating. 

Over one in six (17%) will lay down £50, a further one in nine (11%) £30 and only a tenth (10%) £10 or less. So, the hospitality sector – and economy at large – should enjoy a boost.    

The top priority for almost two-thirds (64%) of customers for New Year’s Eve is atmosphere.  Customers are most likely to be deterred by a rowdy crowd (46%) followed by expensiveness (44%) and unhospitable or rude staff (37%).  

Those surveyed also reiterated that lack of atmosphere (32%) and no music playing (25%) could spur them to exit. In fact, over a third (38%) want to hear music while seeing in the new year, be it a live performance or a playlist. 

Marianne Rizkallah, music therapist for PPL PRS, said: “The atmosphere in a pub or bar can really make or break a celebratory night like New Year’s Eve. It plays a key role in balancing the moods across the room. If an atmosphere becomes too intense, it risks riling up a crowd and / or causing people to leave.  

“Familiar music promotes a sense of community that will help cohere a crowd around a moment. The act of linking arms and singing together can be a hugely bonding experience. Following up with popular party anthems will help punters sustain these positive emotions so they leave your venue with a fantastic lasting impression with a view to returning for more.”