One UK hotel firm is going out of business every other day, according to accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy.

Gary King, director at Collins King & Associates, told Recruiter: “We went into the last recession where a lot of the country house hotels were privately owned. The conditions that hotels have experienced in the past 18 months have been the toughest since the last recession.

“Trade has dropped dramatically. Unless you are in a tourist area with overseas tourists it is tough. If you are relying on the business market as well, companies have been trying to reduce overnight stays.”

Paula Rogers, managing director at Admiral Recruitment, believes pubs are having a worse time: “There are 28 pubs a week are going bust. There are fewer hotels going bust. It has been hit hard but it is a sign of the times.

“It is not surprising in the current climate but nothing in comparison with the pub trade. The hotel market is relatively strong.”