Food fuels 1.4% rise in like-for-like interim sales at Marston’s

Like-for-like sales in Marston's managed pubs division have risen 1.4% for the half year to 3 April.

In a trading update this morning, the firm said that its performance was 'in line with expectations'. Like-for-like food sales in the division grew 2.5%, while like-for-like wet sales were up 0.5%.

Meanwhile the company said that the underlying profit trend in its tenanted and leased division continued to improve. Like-for-like profits are currently estimated to be down 4.6%, compared to a 4.9% declined reported in its January AGM statement.

The firm's brewing arm, Marston's Beer Company, saw overall ale volumes remain 'in line with last year' but premium ale volumes increased 4%.

It also indicated that it was still on track to build 15 food-led managed pubs in this financial year. It has already opened six sites in Aylesbury, Caterham, Daventry, Ashbourne, Sittingbourne and Newark. 

Pubs are back on investors’ radar, claims analyst >>

Optimism rises among hospitality and food bosses >>

Big freeze puts the chill on Marston’s sales >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next pub job here with Caterersearch.com jobs