Let's have a night in

FESTIVE revellers are choosing to stay indoors and party rather than travel to town centre pubs and clubs, according to business owners and taxi drivers—leading to a series of silent nights over the Christmas period.

Wintry weather conditions and plummeting supermarket alcohol prices have been blamed for the limited numbers heading to the heart of Rotherham for Christmas Eve—and tonight is not expected to be much busier.

As police and the ambulance services warned people to drink responsibly on festive nights out, one pub owner suggested that the December had become something of a damp squib in recent years.

“We have little choice but to concentrate on the other 50 weeks of the year,” said Tim Naylor, owner of M@zeppa, the Mail Coach and the Angel.

“Christmas and new year are no longer a big earner in the town centre and Christmas Eve this year was no different.

“Supermarkets have been selling cheap beer by the bucketload and encouraging people to stay at home. It's not a very sociable way to spend the festive period.”

Taxi firms across the town offered standard fares—rather than the traditional inflated festive prices—over Christmas and are set to continue that over the new year period in an effort to encourage party-goers to journey into town.

But Ray Watson, at A1 Taxis, said: “We have noticed a reduced number of people going to town. We seem to be taking more customers to parties at other people's homes now.

“It's been a tough year for a lot of people, that's why we offered the reduced fares.”