Good summer improves trade at Marston's

Marston'shas put improving trade over the 43 weeks to 31 July 2010 down to a dose of good summer weather rather than the World Cup.

Like-for-like sales at its managed division, Marston's Inns and Taverns, grew 1.7% for the period. Like-for-like food sales were up 2.5% while like-for-like wet sales climbed 1.3%.

And like-for-like sales in the 11 weeks to 31 July were up by 2.7%. Marston's said it had achieved an estimated 0.6% increase in operating margin which it expected to be maintained for the rest of this financial year.

Meanwhile, the firm's tenanted and leased division, Marston's Pub Company, saw like-for-like profits fall an estimated 4% in the 43 weeks to 31 July.

But Marston's said it compared favourably to the 4.5% decline reported in the interim results in May.

In Marston's Beer Company, own-brewed ale volumes were in line with the previous year.

The company expects to open 15 new sites in this financial year, and another 20 in 2011.

But Marston's sounded a note of caution over consumer confidence following the emergency budget in June.

Food fuels 1.4% rise in like-for-like interim sales at Marston's >>](http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/04/07/332936/Food-fuels-1.4-rise-in-like-for-like-interim-sales-at.htm)

[Big freeze puts the chill on Marston's sales >>](http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/01/29/331969/Big-freeze-puts-the-chill-on-Marstons-sales.htm)

[Independent brewers put £40,000 behind cask ale promotion >>](http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/02/01/331983/Independent-brewers-put-16340000-behind-cask-ale.htm)

By Neil Gerrard

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