Think London | Leisure and Entertainment

London is Europe’s biggest market for leisure and entertainment with a population approaching eight million people

10 key facts about London’s leisure and entertainment sector.

Growing, high-spending population: London households spend more than $60 a week on leisure, almost 9% of their weekly spend. Inner London’s GDP per head is the highest in the European Union, with disposable income per household at $1,450 per week [1]. London’s population is forecast to reach eight million by 2020 [2].
Magnet for visitors: London is Europe’s most visited location. Visitor spending in London amounts to around $28.5 billion per year, drawing nearly 50% of all overseas visits to the UK [3]. In 2006, estimates suggest that more than 25 million people visited London for an overnight stay [4], 15.2 million from overseas, 10.3 million for within the UK. In addition, some 150 million tourist day trips are made annually to the capital [5].
Flexible opening hours: The UK’s licensing laws were liberalised in 2005, enabling pubs to apply for permission to serve alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Flourishing hospitality: London’s hospitality industry generates some $20 billion from overnight visitors and a further $7.1 billion from domestic day-trippers [6]. In 2005, average spending per day for overseas visitors equalled $142 ($938 per visit), with domestic visitor spending equalling $165 per day ($372 per trip) [7].
Trade association HQ: London is home to The British Hospitality Association, Confederation of Tourism, Hotel & Catering Management, Hotel & Catering International Management Association and The Fitness Industry Association.
Cultural and leisure attractions: London has the greatest concentration of major attractions in Britain. In 2006, five of the top ten paid attractions, and nine of the top ten free attractions were located in London [8].
Huge food and drink market: The food and drink manufacturing industry is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK, with a turnover of $133 billion accounting for 15% of the total manufacturing sector. The food and drink industry employs over 500,000 people [9]. London’s cultural diversity is reflected in over 60 different cuisines provided in over 12,000 restaurants [10].
Entertainment galore: The capital’s famous West End theatres generated box office sales of $760 million in 2006 [11]. Overall, London is home to some 150 theatres [12] and 500 cinema screens showing on average a choice of 150 films [13].
Massive sporting market: Sport has a long and rich history in London. There are few cities where sport is so much a part of the culture, spirit and lifestyle. London is home to 11 professional football teams, 101 golf courses, six racecourses and 2,000 tennis courts [14].
London in 2012: An Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London in 2012 will offer a world-class stage to the world's greatest athletes [15] and the net effect on London’s GDP is assessed at $10.6 million.

Think London has a proven track record in helping overseas leisure, entertainment, hospitality and gaming operators set up or expand in London. Our clients include Le Meridian, Marriot and Technical Systems Testing (TST) — a supplier of testing and consultation services to the gaming, lottery and e-commerce industries.

[1] Office of National Statistics, 2003/4 – 2005/6
[2] GLA Economics
[3] National Statistics: International Passenger Survey
[4] Visit London: Prospects for 2007
[5] Countryside Commission: UK Day Visits survey 1998, 2002-3
[6] International Passenger survey, Visit Britain: UK touris, Survey, UK Day Visits Survey
[7] International Passenger Survey, UK Tourism Survey
[8] Association of Leading Attractions
[9] Food and Drink Federation
[10] The Mayor’s Food Strategy Summary 2006, GLA
[11] Society of London Theatre
[12] Society of London Theatre
[13] GLA: Picture Perfect Report
[14] Visit London
[15] London 2012 website