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UK casual dining sales enjoy 23rd consecutive month of growth

Published:  12 March, 2015

Pubs and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales edge up 1.6% across the UK, making February the 23rd consecutive month to show growth, according to new figures released by the Coffer Peach Business Tracker figures.

Pubs and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales edge up 1.6% across the UK, making February the 23rd consecutive month to show growth according to new figures released by the Coffer Peach Business Tracker figures.

The business tracker looks at total sales for the month of 30 top companies in the sector from across the UK.

"February marked the 23rd consecutive month of positive like-for-like sales for the sector. It is showing steady but consistent growth, which illustrates the underlying strength of the market and the public's desire to continue to go out to eat and drink," said Peter Martin, vice president of CGA Peach, the business insight consultancy that produces the tracker, in partnership with Coffer Group, Baker Tilly and UBS.

Growth for pubs and other casual dining establishments in London outpaced that of the national average growing like-for-like sales by 2.7%, according to Martin. He said:"Among managed pubs, London remains the brightest spot. In February drink-led pubs and bars in the capital enjoyed a 2.7% like-for-like boost against the same period last year."

Growth outside of London is also gaining momentum due to an increased number of openings, which is mostly driven by a higher level of site availability outside the City.

Trevor Watson, director at Davis Coffer Lyons which is part of the Coffer Group, said: "Corporate pub and restaurant operators are growing their businesses faster outside the M25 with many more openings because site availability is better. However, as more and more companies announce ambitious expansion plans, we are seeing more intense competition for new sites throughout the country. Within the M25, trading conditions are marginally better than in outer parts of the country, although the rate of new openings is somewhat slower simply because of the lack of sites."

Both November (3.4%) and December (2.8%) did show higher rates of like-for-like sales growth as casual dining outlets benefited from the holiday trading period.

The rolling 12-month average for like-for-like growth is 2.2%, with the average inside the M25 hitting 3.2% while outside the area growth was slower at 1.9%.

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