The earning zones
The South-west has a couple of red-hot spots. Bristol, the region's capital, is expanding both commercially and in population. Nearly all the big restaurant and bar names can be found there and down the road in Bath - Po Na Na, Ask, Pitcher & Piano, Wagamama, Pizza Express, Ember Inns and so on - and these are being joined by, among others, Loch Fyne and Hard Rock.
The area is also seeing a rapid growth in gastropubs, accelerated by the decline of the fine-dining restaurants.
"The South-west remains one of the UK's premier tourist areas, and with continued commercial growth it is more successful in retaining its workforce and attracting those who wish to relocate," says Alex Matthews, branch manager for recruitment agency Berkeley Scott in Cardiff.
She adds that Exeter is hot on Bristol's heels, enjoying growth in the leisure and service industries and also benefiting from the increase in large call centres in the Devon and north Cornwall areas.
According to Penny Cook, branch manager of the Bristol office of Lister Charles, hotels are also active in these cities. All the main brands are there and many, such as Premier Lodge, are busy recruiting.
She adds that the South-west is becoming a popular area to relocate to, but warns that wages tend to be lower than in the South-east, and in some areas property can be unexpectedly expensive.
Generally, however, the outlook is good for the area. "This is the busiest start to the year that we have ever seen," Cook says. "It's very positive. There is talk of expansion plans among clients, and nobody has mentioned that they will be putting anything on hold."
Over in Cardiff, the explosion of the so-called "new leisure industry" is gathering momentum and the knock-on effects are rippling out to other areas.
For instance, Swansea, which was once the little sister of the Welsh capital, is fast becoming a second city to be reckoned with, offering three four-star hotels and a marina development hosting hip bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
According to Matthews, national interest in Wales is likely to increase, as there are sports stadiums planned for both cities - complementing the Millennium Stadium.
"This has brought the market alive," says Matthews. "People are looking to further their career in Wales instead of moving to the larger cities, as is traditional."
She adds that the growth is encouraging national organisations to expand in the region, further strengthening employment opportunities. n
Salary snapshot
Here's a round-up of typical salaries in Wales and the South-west
Hotels
| General manager, budget to three-star | £25,000-£70,000 |
| General manager, four- to five-star | £50,000-£120,000 |
| Assistant manager | £16,000-£18,000 |
| F&B manager, three-star | £17,000 |
| F&B manager, four- to five-star | £20,000 |
| Reception manager | £16,000-£26,000 |
Themed restaurants
| Unit manager | £14,000-£45,000 |
| Unit manager | £13,000-£43,000 |
| Executive chef, budget to three-star | £21,000-£30,000 |
| Executive chef, four- to five-star | £29,000-£65,000 |
| Sous chef | £18,000-£25,000 |
| Unit manager | £17,000-£24,000 |
| Area manager | £28,000-£38,000 |
