Pub operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) said strong trading in the 19 weeks to 17 September helped push sales up 4.7%.

Growth was driven primarily by the strong performance of the company’s residential pubs where sales were up 5.7% year-on-year.

This was offset with a fall in sales growth in central London in the 11 weeks after the July bombings to 2.2%.

In contrast, sales growth in London in the 40 weeks prior to the attacks had been 7.6%.

However, with the majority of M&B’s 2,000-plus pubs (70%) located in residential areas, a buoyant market, chief executive Tim Clarke predicted the company would continue to gain market share on rivals despite generally weakening consumer spending.

In the 51 weeks to date, average pub sales within the state increased 8% to £16,400.

M&B’s brands include Ember Inns, Harvester, Sizzling Pub Co and Toby carveries.

By Amy Abrahams

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