ALMR: 'Young foodies' shunning booze for dining out

Fewer than 10% of young people drank out at least three times per week during the past six months, with 40% only drinking out once and 60% drinking out less than once per week, it claimed.

However, 50% of young people asked said they are out at least once per week.

Habits evolving​

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the ALMR, said: "The publication of the ALMR's report shows the changing nature of consumer habits as well as the evolving nature of the sector itself.

"This research also puts paid to the myth that young people in Britain are drinking dangerously – we have seen alcohol consumption fall by 17% since the introduction of the Licensing Act and rates of binge drinking fell from 29% to 18%."

This shift in behaviour was being driven by the accessibility and increasing affordability of high-quality eating-out options she said, suggesting also that young people were becoming more sophisticated and demanding consumers.

Foodie generation​

Nichols added: "Celebrity chefs from Jamie Oliver to Deliciously Ella (Ella Woodward) have helped to create a foodie generation that is more conscious of the health aspect of eating out and the provenance and freshness of the ingredients.

"The boom in eating-out, particularly in casual-dining outlets, has seen a renaissance of our high streets driven by younger consumers. This is not only helping to drive growth in our local economies, but help contribute to healthier consumption and changing attitudes towards alcohol."