British men to create luxury bolt-holes to watch World Cup
New research from Halifax Home Insurance reveals the growing phenomenon of the bloke's retreat - with nearly a million men creating a 'den' in their homes before kick off in South Africa this summer.
And they'll be in good company, joining the seven million gents who already have a private, ‘lads only' area in their home - many of whom (36 per cent) are adding expensive furnishings and gadgets to their dens to fully enjoy the space during the tournament.
This will mean a rush in demand for widescreen TVs, audio gear and computers - the most common equipment found in the typical man's den - as well as other items such as beer fridges, games consoles and train sets.
‘Denvy' is a key driver of the popularity of these male spaces, with one in 20 (five per cent) saying they created their den after being impressed by their mate's setup.
The desire for some essential R&R is another factor, with one in six men with a den (16 per cent) saying it's their only way to get any peace and one in 10 (11 per cent) building a getaway to "escape their nagging partner".
And those with a den certainly take advantage them, spending an average of three hours a day in their getaway - or a third of all their total spare time.
Yet with the average ‘men's den' containing more than £2,400 worth of kit, the insurer is warning British boys to take steps to protect these spaces, as they may become the target for burglary.
This particularly applies to the 1.4 million men with outdoor dens - typically customised sheds and garages that are far from ‘safe as houses'.
The insurer advises men with alfresco getaways to move portable valuables inside the home when their dens are unoccupied and to keep expensive items locked away.
Commenting on the findings, Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance said: "The impending world cup finals have given men the excuse they need to create luxury lads-only areas in their home. This new generation of male-only dens provides a comfortable space for men to enjoy the football or construct that train set they've always wanted.
"But those men who have chosen to spend money on their dream room could see it turn into a costly nightmare if they don't let their insurer know about valuable items held within - as accidents and burglaries do happen."
The typical men's den contains...
PC/Mac (69 per cent)
Radio/stereo equipment (46 per cent)
Collectables/memorabilia (33 per cent)
DIY tools (28 per cent)
DVD/Blu-ray player (21 per cent)
Widescreen TV (20 per cent)
Games consoles (20 per cent)
Painting/modeling equipment (14 per cent)
Fitness equipment (14 per cent)
Beer/beverage fridge (13 per cent)
Musical instrument (9 per cent)
Dart board (6 per cent)
Train set (4 per cent)
Scalextric (4 per cent)
Pool or snooker table (2 per cent)