Three million people to give up alcohol in January

Some three million people in the UK are expected to give up alcohol next month, putting further pressure on pubs and restaurants.

According to a YouGov poll, commissioned by charity Alcohol Concern, over 3.1 million people are planning to do Dry January and ditch alcohol for a month.

The poll of 2,086 members of the public found that those between the ages of 35 and 54 were most likely to give up alcohol for heath and financial reasons, with 7% saying they planned to give up booze. Those in Northern Ireland were most likely to abstain (10%), followed by drinkers in the North East (8%).

For pubs and restaurants it means further pressure in 2018 on top of the wage and food inflation that has cut profits this year.

The campaign is endorsed by Public Health England, which said that Dry January was based on sound behavioural principles and that it helps re-set drinking patterns for weeks or even months.

Two-thirds of those who attempt Dry January make it through the month without drinking.

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