Let me spread the anecdotes around.
Usually we spend a couple of nights away at Christmas with my Mum and have dinner in a Hotel. Last year we booked for this year. We are the only guests who have s Christmas Day tea and normally there is stuff left over so we use their crocks and cling film to bring it back.
Last Saturday gave us the weather and the opportunity to cycle to the hotel and return their plates. On arrival we realised the person behind the bar had no idea who we were of what we were doing!
The previous owners had sold up in April. The new owners aren't doing Christmas. Mother is now panicking that we won't find anywhere suitable even though the thought of Christmas has not occurred to most venues.