Like-for-like sales behind at Ultimate Leisure

Northern bar and nightclub operator Ultimate Leisure Group has announced that current trading is in line with expectations, with group sales in the 22 weeks to Dec 3 up 4% year-on-year.

However, the company’s like-for-like sales in the same period were down 3%, according to the statement released by chairman Mark Jones at yesterday’s Annual General Meeting.

Jones said the group's refurbishment programme is on track for completion by Easter 2007 and so far 22 bars have received investment and the performance post refurbishment, supported by enhanced marketing spend, has been encouraging.

In 2006, Ultimate Leisure disposed of two non-cores nightclub sites for £2.2m and acquired three new businesses – two bars in Belfast and a freehold bar in Newcastle. Its Prohibition brand opened a fifth site in Bishopsgate, London.

Ultimate runs the Coyote Wild chain of bars.

By Daniel Thomas

Ultimate Lesiure to roll out Prohibtion nationally>>

Ultimate Leisure reports a drop in sales>>

Ultimate pins recovery hopes on refubishment and expansion>>

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