Here comes the sun: fine bank holiday weather brings a welcome boost for business

Long overdue bank holiday weekend sunshine gave Britain's pubs a welcome business boost. But licensees have warned that only a sustained spell of fine weather will help repair the damage caused by June and July's freak rainfall.

The south of the country saw the best of the sunshine, although tourist resorts further north, in Blackpool and North Wales, also enjoyed a busy three days.

Pub operator Mitchell's of Lancaster said trade in its destination pubs was 30% up on a normal weekend.

"Our pubs with beer

gardens and those near waterways did excellent business, although community pubs tended not to fare as well," said managing director Jonathan Barker.

Marston's Inns & Taverns managing director Derek Andrew said the sunshine had helped return trade

back to its normal levels.

"It is encouraging that when the weather returns to normal patterns, trade levels also return, with people more willing to visit pubs," he said.

Host Shaun Patterson of the Hare & Hounds, in Sunbury, Surrey, said the pub had enjoyed a record week.

The Fuller's manager said: "Our beer garden was heaving, thanks to the mini-beach we have installed, complete with sand, palm trees and deck chairs. It proved a real haven for children and families and we were rushed off our feet," he said.

Licensee Bob Findlay of the Sun, in Windlesham, Surrey, described the weekend as "brisk" but said only more sunshine would help make up for the recent heavy rain.

l Forecasters predict more dry, bright weather over the coming weekend with highs of 22°C in the south and 19°C in the north.