Trade gives cautious welcome to improved Easter trading

Related tags Easter

Improved trading over the Easter weekend has been given a cautious welcome by pubs and pub operators.General good weather over the four-day bank...

Improved trading over the Easter weekend has been given a cautious welcome by pubs and pub operators.

General good weather over the four-day bank holiday weekend saw customers turn out in far higher numbers than expected, despite the early Easter and the news of the death of the Queen Mother on the Saturday.

Easter 2001 saw trade down by as much as 60 per cent in the wake of flooding in many parts of the country and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth, heralding the start of a disastrous summer for many pubs, particularly in rural areas.

But Mike Clayton, managing director of Lake District brewer Jennings, said 2002 had seen a huge improvement. He added: "The real question is how it compares with other Easters when trading was high."

Paul Drinkwater, licensee of the Star Inn at St Erth (pictured)​, Cornwall, winner of Family Pub of the Year 2002 at the recent Publican Awards, saw its best day's trading on Good Friday. "Easter was busy, but the real test of trading for Cornwall is Whitsun, when the tourist season gets underway," said Mr Drinkwater.

Jim Clarke, financial director for high street pub chain JD Wetherspoon, said initial feedback showed its outlets had also seen good Easter trade.

The English Tourism Council estimated that 2.6 million trips were taken in the UK over the Easter period, with visitors spending around £400m in total. Cornwall, Devon and Norfolk were among the most popular destinations for short breaks.

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