Spending at pubs, bars and clubs fell during the past year as consumers continued to cut back on discretionary spending, according to new figures from Barclays.

The latest data shows spending in the sector declined by 1.5 percent year-on-year, while transaction volumes fell by 3.6 percent, highlighting ongoing pressure on licensed hospitality venues despite broader resilience across parts of the hospitality market.

Across the sector as a whole, hospitality spending increased by 0.8 percent, although transaction volumes dropped by 4 percent, suggesting consumers are making fewer visits but spending more when they do go out.

Restaurants, cafés and bakeries recorded a 0.4 percent increase in spending, while transaction numbers fell by 2.7 percent. The takeaway and fast-food sector delivered the strongest spending growth at 2.9 percent, despite seeing the sharpest decline in transactions, down 5.7 percent.

Separate consumer sentiment research commissioned by Barclays found that 62 percent of consumers are making financial adjustments in response to economic uncertainty. Among those surveyed, 42 percent said they were limiting takeaways and meals out, while 45 percent reported reducing non-essential purchases.