Now could be the time for restaurants to expand in the UK, according to hospitality recruiters.

With falling rents for commercial property, Gary King, director Collins King & Associates, told Recruiter that the hospitality market was close to hitting the bottom which would provide an opportune time for restaurants to expand despite the recession.

“When we do hit the bottom, it is a great time for restaurants to open. If we look at the early 90s and you look at what Sir Terrence Conran did, opening in the depths of the recession, you can pick up really good venues.

“It is a great time to open. It depends on the group. If you are a well structured group and you have sites that are not losing too much money, then now is the time to acquire. We have clients that are actively looking for new sites at the moment.”

Jacqui Sterry, director at Mise en Place, adds: “It depends on your offering. If you are a gastro pub and offer a good deal in terms of food then it is quite a good time for pubs.

“People are looking to economise in terms of food. They do not want to stop going out. They want a better offering for a lower costs. For gastro pubs and affordable restaurants, it is still a buoyant time.”