Alcohol sales to spike on ‘booze black Friday’

Sales of alcohol in UK pubs, clubs and restaurants are expected to rise by nearly 150% today, as the Christmas party season hits its peak.

Tonight is the biggest office party night of the year, dubbed ‘Booze Black Friday’

Last year sales of alcohol on the Friday before Christmas, which has been dubbed ‘Booze Black Friday’ by health services, jumped by 145% in the on-trade.

The biggest office party night of the year, Britons are expected to drink two-and-a-half times more alcohol than a usual Friday tonight.

With alcohol sales expected to soar, emergency services are on red alert to deal with increased alcohol-related incidents.

Overall, sales are expected to be 30% higher today than on New Year Eve, as businesses wind down for Christmas and staff celebrate the start of the festive break.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, London regional director of Public Health England, said: “The festive period often sees people drinking much more than usual, which as well as being damaging to our health also sees the NHS and police dealing with more drinking-related accidents and emergencies.”

Alcohol consumption on ‘Booze Black Friday’ has increased in recent years, with sales 114% above an average Friday two years ago, rising to 145% last year.

Throughout December, Brits are expected spend £2.3 billion on alcohol, making a combined 165 million trips to bars, pubs and clubs.