Pub Crawls Helping Businesses Beat the Economic Blues, Says Fancy Dress Experts

HALIFAX, England, August 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Some of Britain's best-known pub crawls are providing a "much-needed shot in the arm" for several local and national businesses, a leading online fancy dress company has revealed.

While adverse media coverage surrounding so-called 'booze Britain' dominates the headlines on an almost daily basis, Paul Howcroft of costume supplier Fancy Dress Ball, which has an extensive range of fancy dress such as Halloween costumesand superhero costumes,insists that the financial positives of pub crawls are providing a welcome boost is these tough economic times.

Howcroft is quick to criticise any drink-fuelled acts of anti-social behaviour that occur as a result of revellers getting carried away, but he also highlighted just how important pub crawls like the 'Otley Run' in Leeds are in keeping companies afloat in the pub and fancy dress industry.

"First and foremost, we at Fancy Dress Ball encourage members of the general public to drink and act responsibly at all times," said Howcroft.

"We have all, no doubt, been shocked and saddened by some of the negative stories that have emerged over the years when people have lost control and done something they later regretted while under the influence of alcohol.

"However, these are isolated incidents that are often sensationalised and the vast majority of people that partake in pub crawls, whether to mark a birthday or celebrate a special occasion, do so with the sole aim of having a bit of fun and enjoying themselves.

"These people make a considerable financial commitment when they go on the pub crawls, some of which I have to say are an incredible experience. From buying all manner of wacky, weird and wonderful fancy dress costumes such as morphsuits and pirate costumes, to spending money on round after round in the bars, clubs and pubs that line a particular route, revellers are giving a much-needed shot in the arm to landlords and business owners that have been hit hard and hit hard in the pocket in recent years following the recession."

Howcroft added: "There are some brilliant pub crawls dotted all around Britain that are all different and have their own unique charm and character.

"The Otley Run, for example, is a particular favourite with the city of Leeds' student population and also attracts people from all over the north of England and that signals good news for the Leeds tourist industry as a whole.

"Staying in the north of England, the Transpennine Real Ale trail is growing in popularity at an impressive rate and means that pubs on or near some of the remotest train stations between Leeds and Manchester are doing a roaring trade every weekend.

"Other notable pub crawls include the Monopoly pub crawl in London, the Mumbles Mile in Swansea and Edinburgh's Rose Street Challenge, all of which boost business significantly for a host of different companies."