Pubs outdo restaurants again in August, Coffer Peach data shows

UK large pub and restaurant groups enjoyed better sales in August as Britain took advantage of better weather to eat and drink out.

There was a 0.6% increase in like-for-like (LFL) sales at managed pubs, bars and restaurants, up from 0.3% last month, according to the monthly Tracker report from CGA Peach and Coffer Group and RSM.

Total sales further, which are boosted by new site openings, accelerated to 4.2%, up from 4% in July.

The data, which is calculated based on sales figures from 34 larger chains owned by companies including Fuller’s, Greene King, Marston’s, Mitchells & Butlers, Restaurant Group, Whitbread and Young's, showed pubs outperformed restaurants with a LFL sales up 1.2% compared to a 0.4% decline among casual dining chains.

As drink-led businesses performed best, Peter Martin CGA Peach vice president said this indicated good weather was key.

“The reassuring thing is that overall business was marginally up on last year at a time when consumer confidence was expected to be fragile in the wake of the referendum,” added Martin.

Underlying annual sales trend showed LFL sales were running at just 0.8% up for the 12 months to the end of August, the same as at the end of July, with restaurant chains up 0.9% and pub groups ahead 0.8%.

The report highlighted the further evidence of the slowdown in growth in the restaurant sector over the last three months, with the rate of growth of the pub and restaurant sectors having been broadly similar, unlike the last four years when restaurant growth has been significantly faster.

Coffer's Trevor Watson said consumer confidence in the autumn season "looks as though it is likely to remain positive in the run up to the key Christmas period“.