The nation's informal eating out market is in decline for the first time in 40 years, according to a report published by industry analysts Allegra Strategies.

Eating Out in the UK, 2009 has revealed that purchases of food costing less than £15 at informal establishments such as pubs, fast food restaurants and takeaways, cafés, workplace canteens and retail 'grab and go' offers have been affected by the recession.

In 2009, only one in nine meals has been eaten outside the home, down from one in eight last year, and 20 per cent of those interviewed said that they planned to eat out less in the next 12 months.

However, despite market projections that eating out will be valued at only £40.3bn in 2009 - a fall of 0.5 per cent since last year - growth is expected to return in 2010 and to increase to £47.5bn by 2014, thanks to rising trends in affluence, mobility, more youthful older customers and the 2012 Olympics.

Steve Gotham, project director at Allegra, said: "There is a myth that the informal eating out sector is recession proof, but this report shows that, while some companies continue to do well, many are suffering.

"The industry will have to become more consumer-focused as customers won't forget what they are learning in the recession. Eating out may have become an everyday experience, but when the economy picks up, people won't go back to paying over the odds for a meal."

The report also urges the industry to attract more customers, who are likely to demand better service, healthier food choices and British-sourced food in the future, via loyalty schemes.