Using a combination of high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy at UKIRT, we are attempting to understand the circumstances under which burts of star formation may be triggered around the nuclei of many nearby spiral galaxies. By comparing the observed colours and equivalent widths of the Br-gamma emission line and the CO 2-0 absorption band in each of the circumnuclear "hot spots" with starburst models from the literature, we can place constraints on the age and duration of each star formation event. I will present results obtained so far for NGC 4321 and NGC 2903.