A new report suggests that UK consumers are prioritising fitness and sport ahead of eating and drinking out.

The Leisure Consumer Q1 2018 report, by Deloitte, shows that spending on attending live sporting events, playing sport and going to the gym is expected to increase by 1 per cent during the next three months.

While a small increase, the upward trend is significant as contrasts the general consumer trend of spending less.

The report shows that spending has declined in nearly all other leisure sectors covered in the Deloitte survey – from eating and drinking out to betting and gaming.

The predictions for Q2 follow on from a Q1 which saw consumers reduce their leisure spending in seven out of 11 categories – compared to the same period in 2017.

Culture and entertainment spending fell by 4 per cent year-on-year, while drinking in pubs and bars and in-home leisure both saw spending fall by 3 per cent.

Of those who spent less on going out in Q1 2018, almost half (45 per cent) said they did so because they could not afford it.

The increase in fitness and sport spending, therefore, suggests that consumers are re-prioritising their discretionary spending. Attending live sporting events, playing sport and going to the gym are the only leisure categories that can expect to see a rise in spending over the next three months.

Simon Oaten, partner for hospitality and leisure at Deloitte, said: "Consumers are still feeling the pinch and, as a result, they are consciously re-evaluating the way they spend on leisure activities.

"This is one reason why we have seen such a decline in spending on in-home leisure. Cutting back on takeaways and entertainment purchases is easier for consumers to influence and therefore this category is more volatile to changing levels of income."

To find out more about Leisure Consumer Q1 2018 and to see a infographic on the study, click here.