New data from Access Hospitality shows UK consumer spending in bars and restaurants rose 8.5% year-on-year in October, with bookings up 30% compared to 2024.
Same-day reservations surged by 38%, underscoring strong demand despite growing caution ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Exclusive insights from Access Hospitality’s discovery platform DesignMyNight reveal that while overall spend is rising, consumer behaviour is shifting. Searches for “cheap” and “affordable” experiences increased 5% sitewide, with London seeing a 66% jump in searches for budget-friendly restaurants and activities.
Generational Trends
- Boomers and Gen X led spending growth, with restaurant spend up 24% and 14% respectively.
- Millennials increased restaurant spend by 7.9% and bar spend by 14%.
- Gen Z showed a sharp 37% drop in restaurant spend, though bar spend rose 16%, reflecting a preference for social experiences over sit-down dining.
Market Signals
Cancellations climbed 11.34% year-on-year, suggesting consumers are reconsidering plans amid economic uncertainty. At the same time, the rise in spontaneous, same-day bookings highlights a growing appetite for flexibility.
Katie Kirwan, Head of Brand & B2C at DesignMyNight, said: “October has been a strong month for bookings, but the looming Budget is influencing behaviour. Brits are spending smarter rather than spending less, with affordability and spontaneity shaping decisions.”
Business Travel Implications
For operators, the data points to resilient demand but heightened sensitivity to value. With younger consumers shifting spend toward bars and older demographics driving restaurant growth, hospitality businesses face a complex landscape as government policy decisions loom.