Less Than Half of UK Offices Have Christmas Decorations

LONDON, December 7, 2011 -

Only 42% of offices are planning any form of Christmas decorations, according to a recent survey by leading office design company Maris Interiors.

The average amount being spent per employee on festive decorations this year is an embarrassing 19 pence. This is the lowest amount since the annual survey began in 2008, when the tinsel bill was a slightly more impressive 31p.

Only 7% of companies have spent over a pound per employee on decorations and most Scrooge-like of all, only 16% of UK offices have a Christmas tree. Of those workplaces with any decorations at all, 85% described them as “mostly reused” or “entirely reused” from previous years.

Maris Interiors Chairman, Michael Howard, said: “If our annual survey on Christmas decorations is a barometer of the economy, it makes quite depressing reading. The mind boggles quite what sort of decorations one can get for 19p - but it doesn’t sound like it would help employee morale!”

NOTES FOR EDITOR

1. Maris Interiors LLP is the UK’s leading specialist in workplace design and creation. The company design and create world class working environments for occupiers throughout the UK and continental Europe. Their team of experts have extensive and in-depth knowledge of how good design can substantially improve business performance, save substantial amounts of money and help retain and attract key people.

2. Employees across 131 offices were surveyed, between 28^th November - 2^nd December.

3. Average spend on Christmas decorations per employee, last 4 years:

2008 - 31p

2009 - 28p

2010 - 23p

2011 - 19p

CONTACT
For further information and images please contact:
Adam Kay
MBBS BSc COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
E: adam.kay@maris-interiors.co.uk
D: +44(0)20-7902-1852

M: +44(0)7788-165951