Fullers, Mitchells & Butlers and Marston’s toast summer sales
THREE of Britain’s pub companies yesterday raised their glasses to strong quarterly sales thanks to a summer of sport and the recent weeks of hot weather.
Marston’s, which owns around 2,100 pubs including the Pitcher & Piano chain, said like-for-like sales at its destination and premium pubs jumped six per cent over the 10 weeks to 20 July.
Over a 42 week period, sales were up 2.1 per cent, driven by food sales.
Marston’s also brews its own bitters and ales including Pedigree and Hobgoblin, and said brewing volumes rose by six per cent.
Fellow publican Fuller, Smith & Turner said like-for-like sales rose 10 per cent in the 16 weeks to 20 July, “aided by the recent spell of glorious weather” encouraging drinkers.
Chief executive Simon Emeny said: “After several weeks of barbecue summer weather, it is pleasing to see customers coming to our pubs and gardens to enjoy our food, drink and hospitality.”
The group said total sales across its managed pubs and hotels rose by 12 per cent while its tenanted inns arm declined by one per cent.
However, underlying sales at Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One, Harvester and O’Neills chains, were more subdued, up 1.6 per cent in the 14 weeks to 20 July.
In the most recent nine weeks, like-for-like sales growth reached two per cent, the company said.