Stonegate toasts 7.8% Christmas sales boost

Stonegate Pub Company enjoyed a merry Christmas period after like-for-like sales growth was up 7.8% in December on the back of a 17.8% surge in festive pre-bookings.

The pub chain, which owns Slug and Lettuce and Yates’ and has 735 venues across the UK, said the results came as a result of its investment in a call centre hub to manage seasonal bookings.

“Our investment in our pre-booking facilities resulted in a double digit increase in like for like bookings enabling us to maximise the trading opportunity from key festive events, such as New Year’s Eve and Boxing Day football. We have entered 2019 with positive momentum,” said Longbottom.

Trading on key festive dates such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve saw an 8.3% increase in sales, while sales rose by 12% in the two weeks from 17 December.

Stonegate chief executive Simon Longbottom said: “I am delighted to report a strong festive trading period for Stonegate - crowning another year of significant progress for the business. Our like-for-like sales have increased again driven by our multi-format strategy, relentless focus on customer service and bolstering our market share in our local markets.”

Longbottom added that all regions and trading formats performed well, including newly acquired sites and brands such as the Be At One high street cocktail bar chain and Novus Leisure.