Valentine's Day: Couples in long-term relationships 'spend LESS than new partners'

Those who have been together for less than two years spend on average £62 celebrating the occasion compared to those who have been together for more than 11 years at just £41 – a 34 per cent drop. 

According to the study, more than half of people in a relationship avoid going out on Valentine’s Day because they find it is too expensive. 

Marked up prices and over-commercialisation were said to be the most common frustrations about Valentine’s Day. 

Instead, this year, over a third of couples are planning to eat in on Valentine’s Day, with eight in ten claiming that they found it more romantic because they could create an intimate atmosphere, the research carried out by Just Eat online food delivery giants found.

Valentine’s Day was one of the biggest days of the year for Just Eat showing people were hungry for food as well as love. 

Old favourites such as fish and chips were not the way to our hearts, with Britons opting for more exotic dishes with cuisines such as Sushi/Japanese, Thai and Indian seeing a significant spike in orders. 

Maidstone and Chatham in Kent saw the biggest surge in Valentines Day takeaways followed by Watford in Hertfordshire, Ipswich in Suffolk and Colchester in Essex.

Takeaway lovers were also more likely to splash out on a tipple when ordering in for Valentine’s Day with Just Eat seeing a increase in wine and champagne to compliment orders.

On the back of this research, Just Eat has partnered with online gourmet restaurant EatFirst, to launch its first exclusive five-course tasting menu available for delivery in time for Valentine’s Day. 

The Italian inspired menu comes at an affordable £35 for two people and was created by head chef Benn Hodges, previously of The Ivy and Roka. 

The meal also has the option to add red or white wine pairings to the order, but even this is less than the average individual spend on Valentine’s Day, which Just Eat research has found is £47.57.

Graham Corfield of Just Eat, said: “Our research shows that more couples are celebrating Valentine’s Day at home for a more intimate, romantic environment. 

“We’ve also learnt that customers are looking for good quality food at affordable prices, so we’re thrilled to be working with one of our restaurant partners, EatFirst, to deliver just that. 

“We hope that people fall in love with the price and quality of our first ever takeaway tasting menu.”