Eating out is new staying in

Britons are eating out more than ever before, a report has shown. Figures from Datamonitor show we spend £1,224 a year on average on eating and drinking out, behind only Italy (£1,265) and ahead of France (£1,070).

Analyst Matthew Adams said the days of a family sitting around a table three times a day were gone.

'Eating out is a way for consumers to seek a hassle-free and sociable environment in which to eat,' he added.