Tough times loom for night-time economy as young Britons opt to go out (and go home) early

Phil Urban, boss of Mitchells & Butlers, said the toughest part of the hospitality market is late night as youngsters abandon the traditions of previous generations, who would ‘go out late night and stay out’. Photograph: Radharc Images/Alamy

A social media and a home delivery boom has shifted younger people’s attitude to going out and risks shrinking the late night entertainment market, the boss of one of the UK’s biggest pub companies has warned.

Phil Urban, the chief executive of the pub operator Mitchells & Butlers, said that the “toughest part of the market right now is late night” as younger people abandon the traditions of previous generations, who would be more inclined to “go out late night and stay out”.