Marston's sales sizzle in June sun
Pub and brewery group Marston's says it continues to outperform the market, as it delivered sales growth across the business.
The group, which has pubs across Shropshire, saw drinkers flock to pubs in the warm weather in June, helping drive growth in the year-to-date.
Like-for-like sales in its destination and premium division, which include dining-led pubs and premium chains like Pitcher & Piano, are up 1.3 per cent in the 42 weeks to July 22, having slowed to 0.6 per cent in the most recent 12 weeks.
That performance was also reflected in the Wolverhampton-based firm's other divisions, with its drinks-led taverns division 1.9 per cent ahead, with the performance improving to growth of 2.4 per cent in the most recent period because of the warm weather in June.
Leased pubs, deliver a two per cent increase in profits, and volumes in its brewing divisions are four per cent up on last year thanks in part to the recent acquisition of the Charles Wells Brewing and Beer Business.
Marston's has a string of pubs across Shropshire, and is increasingly looking at its new inns division for development in the county.
It has already opened a hotel beside the Fallow Field pub in Hadley Park in Telford, and now hopes to add a 26-bed hotel to the Poacher's pub at Chirk Bank on the Welsh border.
That comes as part of a group-wide plan to open 23 new pub-restaurants and bars and eight lodges in the current financial year.
Chief executive Ralph Findlay said: "We remain encouraged by our continued market outperformance and focused on delivering sustainable growth and maximising return on capital in an evolving market place.
"Our transformed pub estate continues to deliver positive like for like growth across all three divisions. We benefit from an operating structure which spans food-led destination and wet-let community pubs, accommodation and brewing, maintaining a good balance within our brand portfolio and broad consumer appeal.
"The Charles Wells brewing and beer business is bedding in well, further underpinning our leadership in the UK ale market. We are on track to complete our new-build and lodge expansion plans. We remain confident of delivering further profitable progress for the full financial year."
The company also said it expects operating margins in its destination and premium division to clock in slightly below last year, but in line with expectations.
