Preston tops biggest Valentine's spenders list

Consumer spending patterns show that the average Prestonian spends £53 on Valentine’s Day treats – 18 per cent above the national average.

Worldpay’s data suggests a minimum spend of £45 should be enough to keep relationships intact this weekend but in Preston, loved-up couples seem to be ignoring the ‘money can’t buy you love’ mantra.

With most people choosing to say it with flowers, the payments processor’s findings show florists can expect to see their takings treble compared with an average week.

Dave Hobday, UK managing director of Worldpay, said: “Valentine’s Day is bigger than Christmas for certain sectors – particularly if you happen to be a florist in Lancashire, where local residents really seem to go to town on spoiling their loved ones.”

Restaurants can expect to add an extra 14 per cent to their takings this weekend, while jewellers and hoteliers could see takings rise by 30 per cent. And Worldpay warns people will spend at least 25 per cent more if they count on smoothing things over with a loved one with a bouquet on ‘Make up Monday’.

Worldpay’s analysts found customers blow an average of £50 per bunch of flowers on February 15, compared to the £40 average in the week running up to Valentine’s Day.