The death of the Christmas party: Revellers are choosing to stay at home as festive season hits full swing, experts say with streets of UK quieter after booze-fuelled antics of previous years_Nhy
It used to be one of the busiest days of the year – for partygoers at least.
But now Mad Friday – the last Friday before Christmas – is far from the traditional festive blowout and is no longer worthy of its name.
Industry experts have admitted there had been a serious decrease in footfall this year, as prices have increased and more people are feeling strapped for cash.
Instead, revellers are choosing to stay at home leaving the streets quieter than they have ever been in recent years.
Hospitality bosses say businesses are barely breaking even – and that’s before a raft of changes from Labour‘s tax raid Budget come into play from April.
Pubs and bars are now fighting for survival as the threat of closure looms over them this Christmas.
In years gone, revellers in fancy dress have packed out pubs and bars across the country.
But landlords have even admitted that Mad Friday seems to have lost its ‘Mad’ title this year.
2024: A pair of revellers are seen enjoying a night out in Newcastle on Mad Friday, but it was notably quieter than usual across the coutry
2024: It is usually a time for pubs and bars to rake in cash, but the streets of Cardiff were quieter last week
2024: Revellers get into the festive spirit in Leeds last week, but there weren’t many others around
2024: Three mates in their Christmas jumpers enjoy a night out on the quiet streets of Newcastle last week
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, told MailOnline: ‘Without a doubt, people are feeling more cautious in terms of the economics – venues still aren’t at the levels they were pre-pandemic.
‘When it comes to the Christmas period, the next couple of days are always more family-oriented but we would expect to be busier at New Year and also around about the third week of December – but we’ve not been where we were before.
‘And looking towards April, companies know they could have between £30,000 and £100,000 added to their bills.
‘There are a lot of people concerned for the future – not just what happens in March and April, but even can they get through January and February.
‘We know that energy costs aren’t going down, and now we’re seeing 40 per cent increase in water bills – it’s a real concern.
‘I just don’t see how the current government are going to make a difference – they’ve promised a reduction in business rates but with everything else, it’s just giving with one hand and taking with the other.
‘And consumers have less disposable income – so will they go out any more frequently?
‘No one’s actually asked the staff or the customers what they think about these increases.
2024: A pair of partygoers pose for a photo on a quiet street in Newcastle last week
2022: A group of friends all dressed up in Santa Claus outfits make the most of Mad Friday
2022: Christmas partgoers are seen in fancy dress as they descened on Newcastle city centre for Mad Friday
2022: In true Mad Friday spirit, these revellers were seen paying tribute to East 17 with their all-white outfits
2022: Revellers are seen out in Cardiff on the last night before Christmas Day
2023: Revellers in Newcastle descened on the city centre for ‘Mad Friday’, also known as ‘Black eye Friday’
2023: Partgoers dress up for a big Mad Friday night out ahead of Christmas Day last year
2023: A group of friends take part in the iconic Otley Run in Leeds last year
2024: Partgoers head out into Newcastle on Mad Friday, but it was quiet for what is usually the busiest night of the year
2024: Partygoers take a perch by a fountain in Newcastle last week in what is usually a busy week for bars
2024: A group of girls are seen out on Mad Friday last week, but industry experts say businesses are suffering
‘People are still going out but it all seems very cautious and spending levels aren’t what they were in the past, in previous years.
‘What we are seeing, student parties are stronger – there seems to be a level of confidence back there at least.
‘But too many businesses are barely breaking even or else they’re losing money – and April will bring another level of new costs.’
Elsewhere in Manchester, one pub landlady said Mad Friday was no longer worthy of the name.
Lisa Booth, landlady at The Wheatsheaf pub, told Manchester Evening News: ‘We had a few in [on Friday] but it was nothing like what it normally is.
2022: Leeds revellers paint the town red with a booze-up in the city centre before Christmas
2022: Christmas drinkers hit up the bars and clubs of Newcastle on Mad Friday
2022: Leeds revellers, many dressed in fancy dress or Christmas outfits, head out for festive drinks
2024: Christmas revellers are seen walking through Cardiff on Mad Friday last week
2024: Revellers enjoy a festive night out in Newcastle on Thursday last week
2024: The pubs and bars in Cardiff were quieter than usual for what has always been a busy period
2024: Quiet streets and pubs in Cardiff City centre on what is traditionally a packed out period
2024: Revellers head out into Newcastle on Mad Friday for a quieter than usual night out
‘It was like that last year. The last couple of Fridays have been good but the one that was supposed to be Mad Friday wasn’t mad.’
Ms Booth said that footfall has significantly decreased since Covid, while prices have also ‘gone through the roof’, which further puts people off coming out.
She added: ‘Town is not like it was years ago. It’s a crying shame. It was a lot busier before Covid but people’s drinking habits have changed. A lot more people are coming out in the daytime than night-time.
‘Prices have gone through the roof. That doesn’t help us. Everybody’s bills are going up and wages aren’t.’
A new poll by the NTIA found that 75 per cent of hospitality staff have expressed concerns that businesses may face financial strain, possibly leading to job cuts or reduced shifts after Labour’s tax raid.
The damning figures highlight the critical challenges businesses are facing as they already navigate precarious conditions such as a lack of footfall.
