A third of UK tourist attractions offer buy now pay later, research finds
Research shows a third of the UK's biggest paid attractions now offer buy now pay later, as seven in ten families cut back on summer activities.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New research suggests around one in three of the UK's most popular paid-for tourist attractions now offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) options at checkout. The finding comes from debt advice provider Money Wellness, which surveyed more than a thousand families about the cost of summer days out.
The same survey found that seven out of ten families have cut back on activities this summer because of the cost. Nearly half of families said they had borrowed money to pay for a day out. The research was reported as families face pressure during the six-week school holidays, with the cost of a trip to the zoo or a theme park often running to hundreds of pounds.
Buy now, pay later services such as Klarna and Clearpay have become common in online shopping. They allow shoppers to split payments into smaller instalments, sometimes with no interest if paid on time. For a £100 day out, splitting into three payments can make it feel more manageable. But the services are a form of debt, and charities and advisers warn that missed payments can lead to fees or affect credit scores.
At Gulliver's World theme park in Warrington, visitors gave mixed views. One said: "I'm a big user of Klarna. I love stuff like that. So buy now, pay later is great. I think if you're responsible with your money, then if anything it's great for your credit score." Another warned: "The interest goes on so it just makes the day even more expensive." A third said she would consider it: "It makes things so much easier when you do it like that. Because it's not easy to pay such a big lump like some for one day really."
Money Wellness is urging families to think carefully before taking on BNPL debt. A spokesperson said: "What's really important to remember is that those repayments are going to be affordable for you. The six weeks holidays is a long time so there might be additional costs that you've got during that time." They advised checking when payments are due and whether they fit around other bills.
The government says it is making days out more affordable through a temporary summer VAT cut on family attractions and children's meals. New regulations on buy now, pay later came into force last month, requiring affordability checks and clearer information for consumers.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Around one in three of the UK's biggest paid-for attractions offer a buy now pay later option at checkout. | |
| Nearly half of families have borrowed money to pay for a day out. | |
| Seven in ten families have cut back on summer activities this year because of cost. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West focused on the practical impact of buy now pay later on families, using research from Money Wellness and interviews at a theme park to show both support and caution. The report balanced the convenience of BNPL with warnings about debt and the need for responsibility, and noted new regulations.
- “I'm a big user of Klarna. I love stuff like that. So buy now, pay later is great. I think if you're responsible with your money, then if anything it's great for your credit score.”
- “What's really important to remember is that those repayments are going to be affordable for you.”
- “Buy now, pay later can be a good option for some people to cover a big expense from.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.