The latest Barclays Consumer Spend Report shows that 40% of UK consumers are now cooking more meals from scratch. Despite this, spending on eating and drinking still rose in March 2026, up 1.5% YOY. This shows us something interesting. Brits are still going out. They’re just doing it less often. But why has this shift happened? Is it cost or is it preference?
Why Brits Are Choosing Home Over High Street
A few factors are driving this shift, and they’re all pointing in the same direction.
The first is cost. Dining out has become more expensive, particularly in cities like London. A mid-range restaurant can easily cost £35 to £50 per person before drinks. Cooking the same meal, on the other hand, costs just a fraction of that. And for many households, the maths simply doesn’t add up for regular dining out.
We also believe health is playing a role. Barclays reports that 51% of consumers are placing more emphasis on their wellbeing, and cooking from scratch gives people more control over what they eat. For example, they can control the ingredients, portion sizes, and nutrition of each meal.
The Rise of At-Home Entertainment
The third reason, and perhaps the most telling, is that going out isn’t just about the food. It’s also about the experience. For example, the atmosphere, social element, etc. And honestly, a lot of people prefer recreating this at home.
We’ve seen this happen time and time again. Streaming platforms, for example, have changed the cinema world. Fewer and fewer people visit cinemas because they cost too much, and you can recreate the experience at home.
The same logic applies to live entertainment. The non-remote casino sector has a gross gambling yield of £933.8 million. Online gambling, on the other hand, is £5 billion. A key reason for this is that many platforms offer live online casino experiences. These bring the casino games like roulette, blackjack, and even game shows to your home.
Even fitness is jumping on the bandwagon. Peloton, for example, focuses on home gyms. With their equipment and software, you can get a gym-like experience at home. Admittedly, the cost of such equipment is expensive, but its convenience is what’s driving this shift.
What This Means for Consumers and Businesses
For consumers, these changes represent a win. Better tools, better ingredients, more personalised experiences, and better at-home entertainment mean enjoyment at a fraction of the price. It’s not a downgrade whatsoever; it’s just different. People are enjoying being at home more than ever. They feel like their money and their experiences go further.
Regarding business, the picture is somewhat mixed. Restaurants and traditional leisure venues face real pressure. People will still visit such a business, one hundred per cent. However, it may become less. What consumers want now is an at-home experience, which restaurants and on-site leisure activities will struggle to provide in this digital
