52% of people say they are going to restaurants less on weekends than a year ago, 43% to bars/clubs less, and 58% are cutting back on non-essential shopping.
Research conducted by We Invented the Weekend with Ipsos has revealed a Cost of Weekend Crisis – 35% of Britons are anticipating declining their outings to pubs or restaurants, while 30% expect to diminish their participation in paid local activities like going to the cinema or concerts. Those who assume a decrease in activity outnumber those expecting more (just under 19%), though around 41% anticipate no significant difference. Additionally, 26% assume cutting back on activities that require travel within the UK, such as day trips and music festivals. Meanwhile, 32% plan to increase their involvement in free regional activities such as visiting a park or attending community events – only 8% predict undertaking less, and 48% foresee no alterations.
In those who intend to go out less this year than they did last year (across all activities), the main reason for saying so is the need to save. The most common responses include: saving for bills and daily expenses (50%), being unable to afford social activities (43%), and saving for long-term purchases, such as buying a house or going on a holiday (32%).
A survey also reveals that more than half of Britons are going out to restaurants (52%) and shopping for non-essentials (58%) less than last year. In addition, 43% have said they’re going to bars & clubs less, while 38% have said they’re going to the cinema less, reflecting the strain placed on households to reduce their social outings to save money.
The research highlights that the public’s engagement with weekend social activity has changed in response to the cost-of-living crisis. At the weekends, consumers spend less money on socialising, entertainment and travel as they spend more on energy, fuel, food and resources.
Wayne Hemingway MBE, co-founder of the We Invented the Weekend festival, highlights that with hybrid working models, weekends have become essential to foster connection. Unfortunately, due to the Cost of Weekend Crisis people are saving money by not going outside, which is affecting those cherished two days. Despite this reality and everything else happening in the world at the moment, it is still extremely important to spend quality time with friends and family, enjoy ourselves and discover new activities.
We Invented the Weekend is a large scale free festival that allows our visitors to enjoy activities and socialising for no cost. Our aim is to provide an escape from everyday life and alleviate the Cost of Weekend crisis. This event is especially significant as it takes place in South Shields – where weekend leisure was first conceived.
Salford will host We Invented the Weekend on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June 2023, a bold and imaginative free festival. To open MediaCity and Salford Quays’ spaces and places, the two-day event will work with partners like the BBC, RHS, The Lowry, Manchester United, and others. Sports, music, comedy, theatre, dance, workshops, talks, food, charity, wellness, crafts, and more will be part of the festival, which celebrates free time.
In addition to water sports on the canal, community feasts, and dance performances, festival-goers can participate in planting workshops and find treasures at vintage markets.
