Festive bookings slow off the mark

The Christmas party season is likely to be more subdued this year, with hoteliers and caterers reporting a slowdown in the number of bookings as the festive calender gets under way. But the trade is still hoping for a last minute rush of bookings.

Christmas bookings have been "very, very slow", according to Robert Alverez, owner of event caterer Phoenix Catering. He said fewer people wanted to book large functions but there was a greater demand for small parties.

But for some hotels, particularly those outside London, Christmas is still looking cheerful. Joanne Lord, marketing manger at the 32-bedroom Regency hotel in Leicester, said it had not had any cancellations so far. "We are on target to have as good a Christmas as last year," she said. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

And Imogen Skirving, owner of the 12-bedroom Nottinghamshire hotel and restaurant Langar Hall, said she was on track to match last year's record takings over the festive period.

She said: "People are not in the mood for spending mega amounts but they are coming out."