Pubs and restaurants bounced back in February after cold snap

The performance of UK pubs and restaurants bounced back in February, after severe weather made for a dismal January.

The monthly Coffer Peach Business Tracker showed an increase in like-for-like sales for the month of 1.3%, compared with the same month last year. Total sales were up 3% on February 2009, while trading leapt by 18% compared with January 2010.

Peach Factory's Peter Martin said: “This latest set of sales figures are back in line with trading seen during most of 2009, when the Tracker group collectively recorded nine consecutive months of steadily positive like-for-likes up until January.”

Richard Hathaway, head of travel, leisure and tourism at KPMG added: “Sales have bounced back post the snow, but consumer confidence and the uncertain economic outlook remain big challenges for the eating and drinking out sector this year. Potential clouds on the horizon include the threat of public sector spending cuts impacting jobs and hence consumer spending, and rumours of a potential VAT rise. Shrewd operators will be focusing on quality service and competitive pricing to keep customers coming through the doors.”

The business tracker, produced by Peach Factory in partnership with KPMG, Coffer Group and UBS, monitors 15 major companies across the UK.

Cold snap drives down sales in pubs and restaurant sales >>

Leading pub and restaurant groups boost December sales >>

Wet weather dampens recovery in eating-out market >>



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 job here with Caterersearch.com jobs