Consumers continue to spend more on eating out

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

Warm April weather has seen a rise in spending in pubs and restaurants
Warm April weather has seen a rise in spending in pubs and restaurants

Related tags Business

Increasing consumer confidence and the warm weather saw a rise in people eating and drinking out in April, according to the latest Barclaycard Consumer Spending Report.

The amount spent on food and drink in pubs rose eight per cent year-on-year during the sunniest April on record.

Though restaurant spending was up 13 per cent the average transaction value fell by 6.8 per cent year-on-year, as cost conscious consumers continue to dine out more but spend less​ each meal.

Travel spend was 6.8 per cent higher than in April 2014, indicating the continuation of the ‘staycation’ trend which is predicted to benefit hospitality businesses​ this summer.

Despite industry fears that uncertainty over the general election​ result could limit consumer spending, the run up to the vote had little impact as people decided to ‘wait and see’ what the outcome was.

Chris Wood, managing director at Barclaycard, said: “Great weather, favourable economic conditions and the Easter holidays have culminated in a bumper month for consumer spending in April. Since Easter also fell in April last year, this is not a distorted picture and indicates a growing confidence sustained from the first quarter of this year.

“Low inflationary pressure is helping consumers to loosen the purse strings on non-essential spending in particular, with many taking the opportunity to make the most of an unseasonably fine British springtime. “

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