From lager louts to café society

The traditional British pub may be under threat

Britain is leaving behind its "lager lout" image and overtaking Continental Europe's café societies, new research suggests.

The Europe-wide survey, which tracked the leisure habits of more than 9,000 people in 12 countries, turns many traditional stereotypes on its head.

Researchers found that the average the Briton visit cafés about twice a month - more than either the Italians, French or Spanish. Only the Portuguese make more trips.

Café's are increasingly at home in pedestrianised city centres

The Italians beat the British to the dubious title of Europe's "booziest" nation with almost 40% admitting they could be found drinking alcohol in a bar once a week or more.

That compared with 33% of Britons and 32% of Spanish - in second and third place respectively - who said they could be found propping up the bar just as often.

The survey's findings follow an explosion in the number of cafés in UK cities, although most of them are part of coffee shop chains rather than French and Italian style pavement cafés.

According to Café Magazine the rapidly increasing number of cafés in Britain owes much to life on the Continent.

Television fans

"Not only have European residents in London come to demand more cafés, but it finally seems to have dawned on Londoners that the pleasures of urban life have much to do with decent cafés," a spokesman said.

Of the other findings in the survey, the Czechs, Portuguese, Hungarians and Dutch watch the most television while reading, walking and shopping are the most popular among women.

Men are most interested in either watching or playing sport and playing computer games.

The survey, by an international property consultancy, is aimed at helping developers decide which leisure facilities they should include in new buildings.