Marston's sales boosted by second-half heatwave

9th Oct 2013 07:12

Pubs owner and ale brewer Marston's said its performance for the second half-year has been encouraging, with the heatwave over the summer offsetting poor weather during the first half-year.In Destination and Premium pubs, like-for-like (LFL) sales rose 2.2% from last year including LFL food sales growth of 3.7% while wet sales grew 0.2%. Over the last 11 weeks LFL sales increased 2.6% while operating margins are expected to be slightly ahead of last year. At its Taverns community pubs, profits for the full year are expected to be weaker than the previous year due to poor weather in the first half, a bigger than expected level of disposals and a more subdued performance in its tenanted pubs, it explained.Its managed and franchised pubs saw LFL sales rise 2% in the second half. At its Leased pubs, profit for the year is expected to be in line with last year, with an improved performance in the second half year. The company, which is known for its ales such as Hobgoblin and Brakspear, said its own-brewed beer volumes were up 6% on last year. Premium cask ale volumes climbed 4% in the year and bottled ale was up 19%. It said good progress has been made on its disposal programme with 130 pubs and other assets sold, giving proceeds of around £50m.Marston's Chief Executive Ralph Findlay said: "We are encouraged by our performance in the second-half year after challenging weather in the first half." "The performance of our new-build pubs is very strong. We have developed plans to accelerate the programme and intend to dispose more aggressively of lower-end pubs in order to pursue our key objectives of sustainable growth, improving returns and reducing leverage over time." CJ