Norfolk restaurant owner's expecting a busy Valentine's Day
Research from HSBC shows there's been nearly a 50% jump in spending during Valentine's week between 2020 and 2023
A restaurant owner in Norfolk tells us they're seeing more people saving a meal out for a special occasion - rather than doing it spontaneously throughout the year
It's as research from banking group HSBC shows there's been nearly a 50% jump in spending during Valentine's week between 2020 and 2023.
All this means that Valentine's Day spending has overtaken pre-pandemic levels with over 12 million payments being made on things like meals out, cards and hotel get-aways, during this week last year.
"Christmas was over, the restaurant was basically three quarters full"
Hannah Springham is from Farmyard restaurant, in Norwich: "We're seeing people wanting to spend for events and be quite determined about that.
"We have a range where you can dine at home and we've seen quite a rise in that. People are wanting to spend time eating nice food, be that away from home or at home.
"Normally people book quite late on for Valentine's Day, but we've noticed that as soon as Christmas was over, the restaurant was basically booked three quarters full.
"People have been very organised which is unusual.
"Valentine's Day shows that's here to stay"
"There was night in December which was quite stormy, normally we'd like a lot of cancellations on nights like that.
"But people still came and I think it shows that once people have decided how they are going to send their money, they're still going to come - although we might not have the same overall average spend as we had before Covid.
"The dine at home model is stronger than we could ever have imagined.
"In terms of the restaurant, this Christmas was the best we've ever had, and Valentine's Day shows that's here to stay, which is such a big relief."