Big surge in celebrating New Year at home

Seven out of 10 people shunned the pub in favour of a night in or at a friend's on New Year's Eve.

A poll conducted by ICM research revealed that more than 32m people chose to see in the New Year away from the pub - a rise of 20% on last year.

Licensee David Smithwick, of the Langtrys in Stone, Staffordshire, believes the industry is to blame for the decline in pub-goers following the millennium celebrations when there was a perception that pubs were cashing in with higher prices. 'We shot ourselves in the foot during the millennium by trying to milk every penny from people,' he said. 'Now it is very much in decline and it's a crying shame.'

Mike Bell decided to close his pub, the Portobello Gold in Notting Hill, over the festive period due to the mass exodus from the city. 'I think the drink-driving issue plays a role, but also binge drinking has had a big impact,' he said. 'People just don't want to be associated with it.'

Steve Richards, of West End operator Novus, confirmed that New Year's Eve was disappointing. 'We did better earlier in the week.'

Tube strikes may have been a factor affecting trade in central London. 'Although the strike took the froth off the top of our four sites in central London, the counter balance was that our sites in other areas, such as Wimbledon, did much better than expected as people opted to stay there,' said Hartford Group chief executive James Kowszun.