What mix of intangibles and operational factors are likely to currently influence choice of leisure activity within this segment?

Most younger consumers have a place where they regularly like to spend leisure time, yet many are open to trying out new venues.

With a variety of influences at work, much of this key sector may go out in their spare time less than is expected.

There are just under 11.5 million 15-29-year-olds in the United Kingdom, representing just under one-fifth of the total population. As a percentage of the total adult (15+) population they are even more significant, approaching a quarter of the total. They are also among the most socially active and the heaviest users of many different types of leisure venue, ranging from pubs and bars to cinemas, nightclubs/discotheques, restaurants, health and fitness clubs and snooker/pool clubs/venues. In short, 15-29-year-olds are a crucial target market for nearly all of the major UK leisure sectors and the companies that operate within them.

What mix of intangibles and operational factors are likely to currently influence choice of leisure activity within this segment?

Most younger consumers have a place where they regularly like to spend leisure time, yet many are open to trying out new venues.

With a variety of influences at work, much of this key sector may go out in their spare time less than is expected.

There are just under 11.5 million 15-29-year-olds in the United Kingdom, representing just under one-fifth of the total population. As a percentage of the total adult (15+) population they are even more significant, approaching a quarter of the total. They are also among the most socially active and the heaviest users of many different types of leisure venue, ranging from pubs and bars to cinemas, nightclubs/discotheques, restaurants, health and fitness clubs and snooker/pool clubs/venues. In short, 15-29-year-olds are a crucial target market for nearly all of the major UK leisure sectors and the companies that operate within them.

In addition to being heavy users of leisure venues, they also spend a significant amount of money. Research carried out for this report suggests that the youth leisure out-of-home entertainment market will be worth approaching £19 billion in 2000. All of Mintel's reports include consumer research sections containing data on responses by age groups, allowing information on the younger consumer to be gathered. However, these reports cover the wider market and include expenditure by all age groups. Naturally, consumers of different age groups have differing demands, likes and dislikes. This report provides some more specific information on the leisure behaviour of young people aged 15-29, as well as their attitudes towards various aspects of the leisure market. It will also highlight likely future trends, which will enable operators to better target this lucrative sector of the out-of-home entertainment market.

This is the first time that Mintel has produced a report specifically on Youth and Leisure. Other reports of relevance include:

- The UK Cinema Market, Leisure Intelligence, September 2000

- Eating Out Habits, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

- Pub Visiting, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

- UK Theme Parks, Leisure Intelligence, July 2000

- Music Concerts and Festivals, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

- Ethnic Takeaway and Other Fast-food, Leisure Intelligence, June 2000

- Chicken and Burger Bars, Leisure Intelligence, April 2000

- Pizza and Pasta Restaurants, Leisure Intelligence, March 2000

- Restaurant Chains and Independents, Leisure Intelligence, February 2000

- Gaming Machines, Leisure Intelligence, February 2000

- Cue Sports, Leisure Intelligence, December 1999

- Spectator Sports, Leisure Intelligence, June 1999

- Themed Pubs and Bars, Leisure Intelligence, April 1999

- Health and Fitness Clubs, Special Report 1999

- Youth Spending and Leisure Lifestyles, Special Report, 1998

And the forthcoming:

- Nightclubs and Discotheques, Leisure Intelligence, November 2000

- Tenpin Bowling, Leisure Intelligence, December 2000

- Coffee Shops, Leisure Intelligence, February 2001.