Orchid grows sales thanks to the rain
Pub company Orchid has grown sales during the summer, thanks to the rain.
Where most operators have bemoaned the wet weather, Orchid said that sales have shot up at its pubs with indoor play areas. Families have been drawn to the firm's Free House Dining pubs with Fuzzy Ed's Funhouses, where children can play while parents eat and drink.
"In general, pubs with funhouses are seeing an upwards sales trend, but this has become even more prominent during the wet summer holidays so far," said Bella Kirkton, marketing executive for Free House Dining.
"People are associating this style of pub with a real chance for a family outing and they attract all ages and generations."
The Bobbin Mill in Renfrewshire has seen year-on-year sales grow by 21.3% over the summer holidays, with some 200 youngsters heading to the funhouse in a single week.
It was a similar story at Perdiswell in Worcester, where sales increased 21% compared to last year's summer holidays. Some 400 families visited the pub during the first week in August.
Orchid said that its "Tuesday Family Days" had also proved popular, when kids can eat for £1 and have free entry to Fuzzy Ed's Funhouse. It added that pubs were taking an average 11.4% of their weekly trade on a Tuesday thanks to the offer.
Kirkton added: "Our customers know that they can come to us when they need to get out as a family and that they will always get a warm welcome, great food and a fun and safe environment for the youngsters."
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By James Stagg
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