NEW Year's Eve is generally construed as being the busiest night of the year for pubs and clubs as thousands of people descend on towns and cities across the country to see in the new year.

I remember many occasions when you could barely move in town as so many people were about. They were always good nights.

But, sadly it seems that the traditional New Year's Eve party is a thing of the past.

A survey conducted by hotel chain Travelodge found that just 18 per cent of people were due to go out to celebrate the new year, with ten per cent even planning on spending it tucked up in bed and not even staying up until midnight.

The recession is cited as the main reason - people cannot afford to go out, especially when pubs and clubs charge extra for entry fees and drinks.

And many people just do not like the hustle and bustle of a busy town and would prefer to stay in and have a few drinks with family and friends or watch a film.

The fact that New Year's Eve fell on a Monday in 2012 also couldn’t have helped.

A lot of people were out in Hereford over the weekend before Christmas, and even Boxing Day was busy for the many premises that were open but I heard that New Year's Eve was less busy in the city centre - maybe because some revellers were just too tired or just could not afford to go out again.

I suppose it depends on an individual's own personal circumstances, but many of my friends said that they stayed in on New Year's Eve, especially those with families.

I chose to spend it with my girlfriend, sister and brother-in-law, playing our Pointless board game and we all had a great time.

I certainly can’t afford to go out as much as I used to and I sometimes feel forced to have a good time just because it’s New Year's Eve. Then again, some of my friends did go out and had a great time, so maybe there is still a market out there.

I know that pubs and clubs always work flat-out on the last night of the year and they always deliver a good night out. But, if more people are choosing to stay in each year, will we end up with half-empty venues?

What do you think? Feel free to leave your comments below.