Most consumers will stop going out

CGA’s One Pulse consumer survey, which was carried out on 17th March, has found that most of the public will heed the prime minister’s advice and stop going out to pubs and restaurants. However, most younger adults say they will cut-down but not stop.

The snap poll of a representative sample of 500 consumers, between 18 and 65, found that some 58% of consumers who visit restaurants, pubs and bars will stop going, in line with government advice, with a further 28% suggesting that they will do so less frequently. However, as many as 14% said they planned to visit at least as often, to show support to the sector. Among the under 24s, only around a third said they would stop going out to eat and drink, although half would cut back.

However, the delivery sector appears to be in for a boost, with 35% of respondents suggested that they will get food delivered as a result of government advice, rising to to 40% for 21- to 24-year-olds and 38% for 25- to 34-year-olds. Similarly, 12% of respondents suggested that they would use click-and-collect for eating and drinking out, which may prove another revenue stream for outlets impacted.

“This is just a first snap-shot, and the results of a wider survey will be available this Friday,” said Peter Martin, vice president of CGA. “For the hospitality sector itself, the results are both good and bad news. They show some people are still willing to go out, but not in anywhere enough numbers to sustain business.”