Research Reveals the Most Cost-Effective Place to Staycation in Great Britain this Summer
14 July 2017
by Visit Blackpool
Looking at the top 25 domestic holiday destinations from the Great Britain Tourism Survey**, the Fish and Chip Index takes into consideration prices in 250 food outlets to discover the average cost of fish and chips across the Great Britain, and uses this as the benchmark to see which locations offer better value for money.
Blackpool towered above the rest as a portion of fish and chips came in at just £5.19, over £1.00 cheaper than the national average of £6.20. It was closely followed by Harrogate at £5.24 and Leeds at £5.39. Unsurprisingly, London charges the most for our national dish, with an average cost of £8.90, followed by Weymouth at £7.03 and Brighton at £6.70. The full rankings can be found here***.
The difference between the most expensive and cheapest fish and chips across the country is £3.71, a 71.5% uplift for the same meal in different British holiday hotspots. The cost of haddock throughout Great Britain is steady, so variations in prices broadly reflect local premiums rather than additional costs.
Though a light-hearted ‘fish-cal’ measure of how far staycation spending money will stretch this summer, the message is serious:
“As with international destinations, better value holidays can be enjoyed in some British holiday destinations than others,” says Theresa Lindsay, Head of Marketing at Hitachi Capital UK. “Our Fish and Chip Index offers a glimpse of contrasting costs throughout the UK. Many families considering a staycation this summer might want to take its finds into consideration before inadvertently spending more on their holiday at home than they would overseas.”
Commenting on netting the top spot in the inaugural Fish and Chip Index, Cllr Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council said: “We’re thrilled that Blackpool has been recognised as offering the best value pound for pound among Britain’s favourite staycation spots. Blackpool has received considerable investment in recent years and undergone extensive regeneration, with a view to reclaiming its reputation as Britain’s most beloved seaside town. At the same time, it offers terrific value for money, without compromising on quality, something we’re looking forward to showing holidaymakers this summer.”
As well as choosing the best value staycation location this summer, Hitachi Personal Finance offers a further five top tips to families holidaying in Britain to help them get more for their staycation sterling:
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Budget – the fear of being hit by exchange rates and cashpoint charges often puts holidaymakers off going beyond their budget on their international breaks. By contrast, in the UK it can be all too easy to head to the bank and withdraw cash when spending money runs dry. Try to avoid falling into this trap. Set a budget and stick to it.
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Embrace the outdoors – families with small children will know all too well the cost of keeping them entertained. So, when selecting your destination, be sure to choose a spot brimming with natural interest with free adventures to enjoy in the great outdoors.
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Pack for all weather – sadly the sun doesn’t shine on all British holidays, so rather than fall into the trap of shopping for wet weather clothes unexpectedly, check the weather and try to pack for every eventuality.
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Borrow key equipment – many staycations require camping equipment, which can be a considerable expense when paid for upfront. Unless you plan on purchasing equipment for annual trips, borrow what you can from family and friends to keep your overall costs down.
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Watch out for service stations – it is no secret that service stations charge a premium for food and other goods purchased while people are on the road. Try to plan ahead by filling up the tank before leaving, packing a variety of food and putting on family entertainment to limit unnecessary service station stops.
For the full results of the Fish and Chip Index 2017 and staycation case studies, please visit the Hitachi Personal Finance website.