Data shows the city is the second most popular party destination in Europe
IT was Eastern Europe but now the North West has bypassed the bloc to be crowned the continents biggest stag and hen party mecca. Industry data has revealed that for Brits booking stags and hens in 2022, around one in every six groups flocked to the region, with Liverpool now Europe’s second biggest stag and hen hotspot.
Rather than jetting off abroad, stags and hens are increasingly seeking budget-friendly alternatives in Britain.
“Demand for weekends to Manchester, Liverpool and Cheshire has skyrocketed this year. Demand has been off-the-chart,” said Matt Mavir, managing director of one of Britain’s leading stag and hen providers,Last Night of Freedom.
Matt believes 2023 will be even busier with the North West set to solidify its status as Europe’s premier stag and hen hotspot.
“The cost-of-living crisis is inflicting a serious strain on household finances, so rather than jetting off abroad, stags and hens are increasingly seeking budget-friendly alternatives in Britain,” said Matt.
“The war in Ukraine has also hit traditional hotspots like Eastern Europe very hard, so their unfortunate loss has been the North West’s gain.
“The region has swept up a lot of that business, and it is blessed to have three major stag and hen destinations in Manchester, Liverpool and Chester that offer something for everyone.”
According to the Tyneside-based firm, Liverpool has trailed only to Newcastle as the second busiest stag and hen location in Europe this year. Bookings to the Merseyside city surged by 76% compared to 2019, the last 12 month period that weren’t impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Manchester also enjoyed a 61% increase year-on-year, while weekend bookings in Chester – a popular spot for swish hen dos - were also up by 20%.
Matt said, “Location is obviously a big factor – the North West has a pretty big catchment area when you consider it is no more than an hour away from much of Yorkshire and the Midlands, so that definitely works in the region’s favour.
“However, the biggest factor is the region’s reputation. Manchester and Liverpool are as close to being a guaranteed good night out as you can get. The nightlife is truly exceptional.”
Earlier this month, MP Rachael Maskell sparked outrage from the industry as she proposed European-style zones in York for stags and hens, which could be placed in one corner of the city, possibly near the train station, and away from residential areas.
The MP for York Central said residents and tourists were being turned off from visiting the city centre by the stag and hen party culture. According to Last Night of Freedom, York is the ninth most visited hen party destination.
Does Liverpool need to be stricter about stag and hen dos? Or is it good for the city? Let us know in the comments.
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