Where are you eating for Christmas? Number of Brits dining out on Christmas Day set to triple
BRITS SET TO DINE OUT ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN RECORD NUMBERS
- AA reveals increase in diners eating out on Christmas Day 2018
- British restaurants expect to be fully booked with Christmas Day diners
- London and South East, Midlands and South West most likely to eat out for Christmas dinner
Monday 17th December – The number of British people going to a restaurant or pub for their Christmas Day dinner is due to increase significantly this year, according to an AA survey to mark the start of the festive season.
According to an AA Populus* poll of over 20,000 AA Members, while only 3 per cent usually eat in restaurants for their Christmas dinner, an additional 7 per cent of Brits are planning on eating out this year. This move towards dining out on Christmas Day is particularly prevalent amongst older age groups, with 60 per cent of festive restaurant goers being aged over 55.
The UK regions where dining out on Christmas Day is most popular are London and the South East, where 25 per cent of those surveyed expect to eat their Christmas dinner at a restaurant, the Midlands with nearly 20 per cent, and the South West with just under 15 per cent.
As part of the survey, the AA also polled over 350 British restaurants about their expectations for the upcoming Christmas rush. From those surveyed, 70 per cent of restaurants expect to be fully booked on Christmas Day, an increase of nearly 10 per cent on 2017. Meanwhile, only 3 per cent of those surveyed foresee being half booked or quiet on the day itself, pointing to a very busy period for restaurants this Christmas.
Andrew Jenkins, General Manager of The Moorland Garden Hotel, Yelverton said: “We have always been fully booked for lunch on Christmas Day, and this pattern will continue this year. We are constantly looking to provide the best for our diners over the busy Christmas period, and we hope to keep developing our festive offerings in future.”
Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Hotel & Hospitality Services said: “The trend towards dining out on Christmas Day shows no sign of slowing, and it’s wonderful to hear that our members are experiencing such a busy festive season. Customers looking for a quality dining experience on Christmas Day can check which awards they have won – such as our annual AA Hospitality Awards – and if they are accredited by an organisation such as the AA.”
To find restaurants near you for festive dining, visit www.theaa.com/restaurants
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For more information contact alice.geary@midaspr.co.uk, edwina.boyd-gibbins@midaspr.co.uk or ben.mccluskey@midaspr.co.uk
0207 361 7860
*AA-Populus online poll carried out 13-19 February 2018 to which there were 21,341 responses from AA Members
