PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) analysis of corporate insolvency numbers has revealed new opportunities for the UK's eating out sector through the development of new concepts.

According to PwC hospitality and leisure sector leader Robert Milburn, an increase in choice and availability has established eating out as a "key lifestyle activity" for consumers.

Milburn also revealed that parts of the pub industry are now exiting recession and pointed to "good stories" following on from closures that have removed over-capacity.

"Eating out has become a key lifestyle activity for many consumers, thanks to increasing availability and choice, particularly in the casual dining segment," said Milburn.

"We see continued long-term development in the sector, with opportunities emerging from the development and roll out of new concepts.

"Although hit hard by the combination of recession, smoking ban and competition from drinking-in, parts of the pub sector are coming out of recession, having been first in."

PwC figures have shown a 22 per cent decrease in the number of hospitality insolvencies in the second quarter of 2012 - 332 from the 428 reported in the first quarter.

Click here for more information from PwC.