Managed pub chains continue their sales momentum

The recent VAT rise might have dented the UK's enthusiasm for shopping but consumers still managed to eat and drink their way through a cold February in the country's leading pub and restaurant chains.

The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker report showed combined like-for-like sales of 19 major pub and restaurant operators, including Punch Taverns' managed operation and Mitchells & Butlers, rose 3.1 per cent in February, versus the same month in 2010.

Total sales were also 5.1 per cent higher than in January 2011.

The figures, boosted in part by the half-term school holidays and comparatives with last year's weather-affected trading, come in the wake of the 0.4 per cent dip in retail sales, as reported by the British Retail Consortium.

Peter Martin, founder of research outfit the Peach Factory and a member of the Business Tracker, said consumers might be reining in their spend on 'big ticket' items, but they still went out to eat and drink.

"People may tell researchers they intend cutting-back on pubs and restaurants, but these figures tell a different story," he added.

The February numbers followed a 10.7 per cent like-for-like hike in January, and a 1.3 per cent rise in February last year.

Trevor Watson, director at Davis Coffer Lyons, another member of the Business Tracker, said the numbers suggested the sector has "shrugged off" the VAT increase.

"The cumulative effect of positive like for like performance across the sector's major corporate operators is most encouraging.

"The forthcoming extended holiday periods in April should assist in sustaining momentum through the second quarter," he added.