LONDON, (Reuters) – British consumers visited more retailers and leisure companies in the lead-up to Easter weekend. Bookings for restaurants and hotels were at their highest in seven months according to statistics from the country.

The Office for National Statistics reported that retail visits to recreation and shopping centers increased between 8% and 91% from their levels pre-coronavirus in the week ending April 15. This included Good Friday, which was Thursday.

According to the ONS, sat diner reservations accounted for 138% percent of 2019 levels. It was the highest relative amount since September 2021.

The Bank of England as well private economists keep an eye on consumer reactions to inflation. They are concerned that this could slow down the economy’s recovery after the COVID-19 epidemic.

According to the ONS, interbank CHAPS payment data for the week ended April 14 was stable at 105% of the February 2020 average.

The increase in work-related spending (which includes purchasing road fuel) was 8 percentage points. It is a result of the global oil price rises that have been caused by Russia’s invasion Ukraine.

Late March saw 29% reporting that recent energy price increases had affected their suppliers, production, or both. This is up 25% from early March’s 25%.

The ONS reported that 56% of respondents were from accommodation or food service businesses.

The average gas price fell 22% from March 10th to April 17, and was 41% lower than their peak of March 10. They were still 234% more than they were in the previous year’s same time period.

BoE also closely monitors the labour market because it fears that shortages of job candidates could lead to higher wages and a long-term inflation problem.

The ONS used data from Adzuna to determine that total online job ads increased by 4% between April 14th and April 14, making them 144% more popular than their average February 2020 level.