Capital Pubs toasts boost from real ale
CAPITAL Pub Company has seen a rise in profit – fuelled by real ale sales during the World Cup.
The group – which has 28 pubs and has plans to own up to 50 within three years – yesterday reported a 32 per cent profit jump to £2.7m.
Revenues rose by 11 per cent to £22m in the year to the end of March, and the company said it was relieved there had been no duty hike on alcohol in the Budget.
Chief executive Clive Watson attributed the strong figures to booming sales of real ales, saying central London pubs have been packed with football fans following teams from around the world.
He said: “Real ales have been very popular with our customers. We think the gastro-pub thing was overblown.
“We are concentrating on providing something a bit different for our customers and the real ales provide that. The World Cup has been good for London pubs because it is so multicultural. It’s not just England games where there is an interest.”