Meanwhile the appetite of the general public for picking up bargains that really are available continues to grow, with vouchers for free or cut-price food in chain restaurants on the increase. (Caterer and Hotelkeeper)

Apparently 15% of us now use a voucher, if available, for our casual dining, and the number of us saying we would be more likely to visit a restaurant with a price promotion had increased by 39% over the six months from December last year to this May. The two for one deals account for more than all the other promotions combined.

The average price of a three-course meal in a restaurant is £21