Marston's toasts record breaking Christmas
Marston's raised a toast to a record-breaking festive season today, after its pub tills rang up more than £3 million on Christmas Day for the first time.
The Wolverhampton-based beer and pubs chain hailed good trading over Christmas and New Year, making an 'encouraging' start to its financial year so far.
In the 16 weeks to January 23, like-for-like sales in its Destination and Premium pubs was up 3% on last year, including food sales increasing 2.5% and drinks up 3.4%.
In the key two week Christmas trading period to January 2 trading was good with like-for-like growth of 4.9% despite comparison with a strong performance last year.
Chief executive Ralph Findlay said: "Once again we traded well over the Christmas period with record sales over the key Christmas fortnight for the fourth year in succession, maintaining our record of market out-performance, including pub retail sales of over £3 million on Christmas Day for the first time.
"This performance demonstrates the appeal of our pubs and the value for money we offer, underpinned by excellent service.
"In Brewing, our principal brands and new beers contributed to an excellent first quarter."
Marston's says its plans are on track to open at least 20 new pub-restaurants and five hotel 'lodges' in the current financial year, with seven pub and three lodge openings expected in the first six months.
In its Taverns buisness, like-for-like sales across its managed and franchise pubs was 2.7% ahead of last year, with 5% growth over the Christmas fortnight.
Marston's says its franchise model of running pubs has proved a 'key driver' for growth and has been extended to pubs with a higher turnover. The best performing pub turned over £30,000 a week over the holiday period.
The company's brewing arm, which produces Banks's and Wychwood Hobgoblin as well as Marston's Pedigree, performed well, with volumes up 21%, boosted by a 'very strong' performance in off-trade sales such as sales of its beers in supermarkets.
The company has 1,600 pubs nationwide and five breweries including its Park Brewery in Wolverhampton, close to its recently rebuilt headquarters at Chapel Ash.
