Top pub and restaurant groups put January blues behind them

15th March 2010, 10:01am

The UK eating and drinking-out market moved back into positive territory in February – or at least the country's leading restaurant and pub operators did.

The 15 major companies participating in the Coffer Peach Business Tracker collectively saw like-for-like sales up 1.3% against the same month last year. Total sales were ahead 3.0% on February 2009.

The results come as welcome relief after a poor January, when freezing weather conditions contributed to a dramatic 5% slump in like-for-like sales. February trading was a healthy 18% up on the previous month.

Peach Factory's Peter Martin, said: "This latest set of sales figures are back in line with trading seen during most of 2009, when the Tracker group collectively recorded nine consecutive months of steadily positive like-for-likes up until January."

Trevor Watson, director at Davis Coffer Lyons, part of the Coffer Group, detects differences between London and the rest of the country, particularly as it affects the property market. He said: "The central London eating and drinking market continues to be very strong which is causing continued strong demand for quality restaurant and licensed properties in the capital. Shortage of quality stock in central London is also giving rise to a significant resurgence in rental and asset values generally.

"Away from the south east, the market appears to be lagging behind in trading terms and consequently in property terms. The market between London and the provinces is probably as big as it's ever been."

The market is expecting business to continue to be tough this year, and replicating 2009's progress will be seen as success, added Peter Martin.

Related Articles:

• 21 Jul 2010 - Top pub and restaurant chains see sales recover in June

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