UK high street could receive £3bn this Bank Holiday

The UK high street business is expected to receive £3 billion* this May bank holiday, according to Worldpay. The weaker pound has prompted a staycation frenzy, as thrifty Brits choose to spend the long weekends closer to home. New data from payments processor Worldpay reveals that in post-Brexit Britain, where foreign travel is increasingly costly, native trips have upped their appeal. The company’s analysis of transaction data from the Early May bank holiday weekend reveals a seven percent** increase in card transactions in-store, compared to the same time last year. For retailers and hospitality business owners, the strong growth in spending seen during the first bank holiday in May will be welcomed as an encouraging sign that trading this weekend could be even brisker. Worldpay’s analysis of transaction data during the spring Bank Holiday in 2016 shows spending in pubs was up 25 percent*** compared to average over the long weekend. If the upward trend in spending seen in early May continues, then these figures could be even higher this year. The regions seeing the greatest benefit from the bank holiday boom are vacation favourites Cornwall, Brighton and Edinburgh, where in 2016 overall spending increased by 11 percent***, 6 percent*** and 5 percent*** respectively. And while Worldpay’s data suggests many of us will be heading out this weekend, for others the long weekend will be a chance to catch up on home improvements. DIY stores saw spending rise by 6 percent*** compared to average during the spring bank holiday in 2016, while sales in garden centres were also up by nearly a quarter (24 percent)***. James Frost, CMO Worldpay UK, comments: “This is a key period for businesses which rely on seasonal peaks in traffic, and with the weather forecast looking positive – for the moment – tourist hotspots across the UK will be looking to make hay while the sun shines. “The current weakness of the pound means more Brits are choosing a staycation instead of heading abroad, while foreign tourists are making the most of cheaper prices by flocking to destinations from Edinburgh to Cornwall. "Savvy business owners will be doing all they can to make the most of this boom, from taking on extra staff to deploying technologies designed to speed up service at busy times.” *Calculation is based on the assumption that total sales processed by Worldpay over the Early May Bank Holiday 2017 equate to 40% of total card transactions over that period, and that the YoY upward spending trend compared to the early May Bank holiday 2016 will continue over the Spring Bank Holiday. **Calculation is based on a comparison between card transactions processed by Worldpay during the early May bank holiday weekend 2016 (Sat 30th Apr - Mon 2nd May) and the early May bank holiday weekend 2017 (Sat 29th Apr - Mon 1st May 2017) *** Calculations are based on card transactions processed in the spring bank holiday weekend 2016 (Sat 21st May – Mon 23rd May)

UK high street could receive £3bn this Bank Holiday

Read Next

Sera acquires Interpet aquatic brands

Lily’s Kitchen launches new supplement range

Pets at Home pauses sale of rabbits over Easter

Non-stop dogwear launches new Dog Rescue Sling

Jollyes permanently removes small animals from stores

Sera acquires Interpet aquatic brands

Lily’s Kitchen launches new supplement range

Pets at Home pauses sale of rabbits over Easter

Non-stop dogwear launches new Dog Rescue Sling

Jollyes permanently removes small animals from stores

Sera acquires Interpet aquatic brands

Lily’s Kitchen launches new supplement range

Pets at Home pauses sale of rabbits over Easter

Non-stop dogwear launches new Dog Rescue Sling

Jollyes permanently removes small animals from stores

Q&A: Cats and the City

Read Next

Sera acquires Interpet aquatic brands

Lily’s Kitchen launches new supplement range

Pets at Home pauses sale of rabbits over Easter

Non-stop dogwear launches new Dog Rescue Sling

Jollyes permanently removes small animals from stores

Related Articles

Sera acquires Interpet aquatic brands

Lily’s Kitchen launches new supplement range

Pets at Home pauses sale of rabbits over Easter

Non-stop dogwear launches new Dog Rescue Sling

Jollyes permanently removes small animals from stores

Q&A: Cats and the City