One of the more positive trends to emerge from the recent recession is the advent of the discount dining culture. Where regular meals out used to be the preserve of the rich, it now seems that restaurants are opening their doors to a new breed of clientele who are only too happy to eat out once or twice a month, if there’s a discount involved.

Research from comparison website Moneysupermarket.com has revealed that restaurant vouchers are now the most popular of all vouchers claimed online, with diners saving an estimated £3bn in the last year alone.

The number of people in the UK eating out using vouchers has increased by 30% in the last year, with more and more restaurants offering discounts online and through loyalty clubs and reward programmes. With the number of people eating out once a month or more also increasing by 11%, it appears that the stigma of using a voucher to help pay for a meal may be a thing of the past. (more…)