Pub trade soars in sizzling summer sun
The scorching weather has sent sales at pubs soaring, according to licensees and brewers.
As Britain bakes in temperatures as hot as the Bahamas this week, Britons are flocking to pubs for a cold, refreshing pint or two, while food sales are also said to be strong.
"For us sales have gone through the roof," said Steve Haslam, licensee at the Cutter Inn at Ely, Cambridgeshire. "It's been absolutely fabulous, we are 20% up on last year already."
Chris Bulaitis, managing director of Midlands-based Ever So Sensible Bars confirmed one of his sites was 50% up on the same period last year.
Anecdotal evidence from pubs all over the country suggests that the increase is spread across all categories, but traditional summer tipples such as lager, cider and Pimm's as well as lighter meals are flying off the shelves.
"Sales are up around 10% and summer is really bringing the cider drinkers out," said Darren Cheeseman of the Hit or Miss in Stamford, Lincolnshire, who confirmed his pub has just had its best week in two years. "What we need is for this weather to last until January," he added.
Some licensees are even having to add extra tables and chairs outdoors in order to meet demand.
Charles Wells tenant Richard Binks, who runs the White Horse in Tilbrook, Cambridgeshire, said turnover on Tuesday this week was twice that of the same time last week. More furniture was put in the garden to maximise trade.
Brewer Scottish & Newcastle confirmed that business was booming, "It's way too soon for us to be able to put any figures on it but it does seem as if the weather has inspired people to get out of their front rooms and into pubs," said spokesman Nigel Pollard. "We are delighted that we are finally having a proper spell of summer weather."
Further good news for licensees is that Andy Murray reached the Wimbledon semi-finals after beating Juan Carlos Ferrero and the Met Office says there is yet more hot weather still to come.
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