Real ale helps improve trade
Last updated 11:44, Wednesday, 30 April 2008
PUB chain JD Wetherspoon has said real ale drinkers helped offset some of the pain caused by rising costs and testing trading conditions.
The business, which operates the Woodrow Wilson and Lloyds No1 bar in Carlisle, The Bransty Arch, in Whitehaven, and The Henry Bessemer, in Workington, reported a 0.1 per cent drop in like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to April 27, an improvement on the 1.5 per cent decline seen for the financial year covering the past 39 weeks.
Wetherspoon reported an improved sales trend in March and April, aided by a real ale festival when the chain sold the equivalent of around 2.5 million pints, an increase of 7 per cent on a like-for-like basis against the previous year. The company said: “Traditional ale sales have been in decline in the pub market for many years, but we have recently experienced a recovery in our pubs.”
Wine sales also improved, while premium bottled beers and spirits showed positive trends.
The company has positioned itself for the long-term impact of non-smoking pubs through an increased food offering and move into breakfast meals.
It said food sales continued to grow strongly, with the relaunch of curry and steak “club” nights proving to be a “great success”.
The impact of last year’s smoking ban and cost pressures led to a 13 per cent fall in pre-tax profits to £28.5 million in the six months to January 27.
