'We can't justify a £52 lunch': Middle-income families cut back on days out

Bianca and Paul Osborne both work hard and look forward to treating their daughters Amelia, four, and Sienna, 10, to fun-filled family days out.

But the cost of meals and activities mean they're part of a growing trend of middle-income families cutting back on life's luxuries.

"We struggle finding the right reasons to go out because we can't justify the cost," Paul told BBC Panorama.

For many UK households struggling with the cost of living, meals and trips are not an option. But those who previously could afford them say rising prices mean they no longer do it regularly.

"Everything's gone up," says Bianca.

She is a part-time HR administrator and Paul is a manager at Network Rail. Between them they earn close to the UK national average household income of £55,000.

But they say that once they've paid the bills, there isn't much left over, so family days out are becoming few and far between.

Panorama offered to pay for the family to have a day out, and they agreed to add up the cost. For the Osbornes, from Bredbury in Stockport, it starts with lunch at Costa, which costs £51.89 for the family of four.

"You get four cheese bites and they are £3.95, so it's near enough a pound a bite," says Paul. "For value against price, it looks like a hell of a lot of inflation."

Costa says it is priced similar to other outlets, but it is not making mega bucks — its most recent financial figures showed a loss of £13.5 million in 2024.

Next is a trip to the aquarium for Bianca and Amelia — costing £32 and lasting about 90 minutes, plus £15 for two photos — while Paul and Sienna head to Laser Quest which costs £21.50 for half an hour. The whole afternoon out adds up to £120.39.

"We've had great time and made some great memories but we'd certainly have to think twice before doing it more regularly than special occasions, which is unfortunate," says Paul.

Laser Quest told BBC Panorama it is "great value for money" and that it's sited in "high cost locations… with significant rent, service charge and business rates"

Merlin, the owners of Sea Life, told us that despite the significant increase in costs such as National Insurance, they work "hard to keep attractions as fairly priced as possible" and "regularly review pricing."

Over in the Bramhall area of Stockport, the George family head to Pizza Express. Like the Osbornes, Panorama covered the cost of their evening out.

Robbie is a college lecturer and Rachel is a merchandising manager. They take home more than the national average household income.

A three-course meal with their eight-year-old son Teddy and six-year-old daughter Elsie comes in at £174 after a 10% tip.

A game of bowling at Tenpin costs £38.50 making the total night out £212.50.

"It's like one or two weekly shops for one night, so hard to justify that isn't it?" says Rachel.

"I think the last time we went out for food, Rob and I just watched the kids eat so that we didn't spend as much money."

The bowling chain Tenpin told BBC Panorama that it "offers great value" and has a "variety of deals, promotional sessions and packages."

Pizza Express told us that it recognises "household budgets are under pressure" and focuses "on providing great value" and runs a variety of free rewards through its loyalty scheme.

Pressures on family finances are having a knock-on effect on hospitality.

The latest official figures suggest the UK economy failed to grow in January, with eating out in restaurants suffering in particular. There was a 2.7% fall in food and drink service activities.

James Ridgway and his sister-in-law Eleanor Brown, who set up the Brew 32 café in Stockport last year, says they've noticed the shift.

"It's changed the way people act, they haven't got the money to do what they normally would," says James.

The cost of living remains high, with inflation at 3% compared to the Bank of England's target of 2%.

Meanwhile, average annual pay growth is at a five-year low. After taking inflation into account, wages grew by 0.5% between November and January 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics.

For James and Eleanor that's meant that six months after they opened they've had to let half their staff go.

Children's activity businesses are also struggling. Emily Walsh is the owner and manager of Tumble Jacks play centre in Stockport, where parents meet for coffee while little ones play and have birthday parties.

"We've seen massive reductions in our party numbers," says Emily. "Instead of inviting the whole class, they'll invite 15 children.

"And that is simply because people don't necessarily seem to have the disposable income."

While visitor numbers are down, Emily's staffing and business costs are up.

Minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over will rise from £12.21 an hour to £12.71 in April. The government says raising the minimum wage is an important part of dealing with the cost of living crisis, but some employers worry it means they will have to cut staff numbers.

Together with a rise in National Insurance contributions and a drop in the income tax threshold, the cost of hiring a full-time minimum wage worker has risen by about £3,400 between 2024 and 2026, according to the Centre for Policy Studies.

"My payroll when I opened was approximately £8,000 per month, it's now hitting £18,000 in four years," says Emily.

She's cut her staff from 18 down to 13 and says she is working 60-70 hours per week, paying herself less than minimum wage.

A discount to business rates still in place from Covid will also end in April.

"Somehow I've got to find an extra £7,500 a year out of nowhere," says Emily.

The picture for personal finances is looking worse since the outbreak of war on Iran.

The Bank of England expects prices to rise more quickly due to the "new shock to the economy" with inflation forecast to hit close to 3.5% in March.

The Treasury said it had taken "action to bear down on inflation and the cost of living".

For now, the Osbornes are going to enjoy the simple things in life.

"We tend to prioritise going to parks, museums, fairs, that type of stuff that we can do for free," says Paul.