York set to host more hen dos than Benidorm this weekend

Last Night of Freedom, which helps organise stag and hen dos, says York’s reputation as a ‘party paradise’ saw the city become the third most-booked hen do location in Europe last year.

They say this year the city has so far proved one of the most popular for women celebrating ahead of their big day, but this weekend will see it top the sun-soaked Spanish resort.

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According to new research, the number of hens will outnumber those visiting Spanish holiday resort Benidorm by almost four to one over the coming weekend when Liverpool tops the chart followed by Newcastle and Edinburgh and York has 87 parties booked with seven stags and 80 hens ahead of 82 in Benidorm where the split is 63 stags and 19 hen dos.

York is very popular with hens (Image: Archant)

Last Night of Freedom’s managing director, Matt Mavir, said York’s popularity endures despite local leaders repeatedly 'demonising stag and hen groups'.

He has previously defended stag and hen parties from city leaders who he says have relied on “lazy stereotypes” to vilify them – instead pointing out how responsible, organised tourism plays a vital role in supporting local businesses.

In the past York Central MP, Rachael Maskell, has accused the firm of 'wanting to make profit out of the misery' of people living in the city and said that if Mr Mavir lived anywhere near York, he would clearly hear the concerns that residents have across the city with the prevalence of groups drinking in the city, including those here for stag and hen weekends.

“Thankfully for businesses in the city, efforts to single out hen parties for criticism haven’t forced our customers to go elsewhere, especially with resorts like Benidorm ready to step up,” Mr Mavir said.

“Hens appreciate the warm welcome they get from York’s buzzing city centre bars and restaurants and it’s always been a popular location for people celebrating ahead of tying the knot.

“We’ve had a mixed bag of weather from the UK’s summer so far, but what stays consistent is the love that our customers have for York.”

Matt Mavir (Image: Supplied)

He says that more than one in five hens celebrating in the UK this weekend will be doing so in York.

And throughout the past year, only Liverpool and Newcastle were more popular.

The city finished ahead of Yorkshire neighbour Leeds and the former undisputed queen of the hen night, Dublin.

Mr Mavir said: "The stats show that they love York and I can’t blame them, it’s a beautiful city with a great atmosphere.”