The number of UK hospitality and catering outlets dropped marginally in 2006 to 262,888 establishments, down from 262,982 the previous year.

Although the total number of outlets fell, the number of meals served increased by to 8.68 billion, up from 8.62 billion in 2005.

The figures cover both the profit sector (which includes hotels, restaurants, quick-service outlets, pubs and leisure venues) and the cost sector comprising catering in business and industry, healthcare, education and Ministry of Defence sites.

These figures are reported in British Hospitality: Trends and Statistics 2007, published by the British Hospitality Association.

The full report (which is free to BHA members) can be bought for £195 (for the printed version) or £146.25 (for a PDF file). For enquiries or orders, phone 0207 404 7744 or contact bob.bacon@bha.org.uk.

NUMBER OF OUTLETS IN ALL SECTOR AND NUMBER OF MEALS SERVED

+ includes hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, inns and farmhouses

Source: Horizons