Young fund leisure boom

Londoners spend more than £150 a month going out, new research has revealed.

This is almost 30 per cent more than the national average outlay on eating out and going to pubs, theatres and the cinema.

Most money goes on meals in restaurants and cafes - about £65 a month. This is followed by £45 a month on alcohol, £28 a month on sport - either watching or participating - and about £14 a month on cinema or theatre tickets.

The findings emerge in a major report commissioned by Mayor Ken Livingstone into the capital's leisure economy, estimated to be worth £9.5 billion a year and to employ 300,000 people.

The report, Spending Time: London's Leisure Economy, highlights how the sector is fuelled by the large number of young people in the capital with relatively high disposable incomes.

The 25-34 age group is declining nationally but growing in London, and now stands at 1.4 million. The city is seen as a magnet for young people attracted by lifestyle and work opportunities.

Because many do not have a family or household responsibilities, this leaves them a lot of free time and income to enjoy themselves.

The leisure industry is also boosted by the large number of tourists attracted to the capital - though numbers have been falling as a result of the September 11 attacks and the war in Iraq.

Changes to the law, which will allow pubs and bars to introduce more flexible opening hours and 24-hour licensing, could lead to further growth next year.

London has the highest wages in Britain, with employees earning £510 a week on average before tax - and the gap with the rest

of the country is continuing to widen. Disposable income is also said to be 20 per cent higher than the UK average.

Mr Livingstone said: " Londoners lead the country in going out and enjoying themselves. This new report shows our leisure and socialising helps drive one of the city's most dynamic industries."

The report underlines the need for better late-night public transport to help people-to get home. The Mayor's Transport for London authority has laid on more night buses and is beginning to license the mini-cab trade to weed out bogus drivers. But PPP contracts prevent it from running round-theclock Tubes.

The report predicts that high-street chains like All Bar One and gastro pubs will continue to replace the traditional back- street boozer, and that the demand for health clubs will increase as the number of young adults in office environments continues to grow.

It also says that the leisure industry will grow particularly in areas such as Clapham, Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham and north Finchley.

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