The number of cafes and restaurants has gone backwards for the first time in more than 20 years according to stats NZ.

It's a small drop...to 8958 cafe and restaurants…But that's almost twice as many as in 2000...   

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub says there are still too many hospitality businesses in tough economic times like today.   

Chef and restaurateur Al Brown told Heather du Plessis-Allan all the people who are operating would think we have too many.