The latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker showed like-for-like sales in Britain’s managed pubs were 1.9% ahead in September compared with the same month in 2024, while restaurants were down by 0.7%.
It means pubs have outperformed the hospitality sector as a whole in every month of 2025 so far, attributed to consumers opting for drinks out rather than meals.
Pubs’ beer and cider sales were also boosted by dry and bright weather in many parts of the country in September, as well as the start of university terms, which sent students out to pubs and bars in many towns and cities.
In other segments, bars’ sales were down by 6.8% from September 2024, while the on-the-go segment was 3.7% behind. Overall growth for managed restaurant, pub and bar groups was 0.2%.
Total sales, including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months, were up by 3.4%, marginally below the UK’s current rate of inflation.
Fractional growth
It marked the second period of fractional growth in a row, after a 0.5% increase in August, and only the fourth positive month since the start of 2025.
RSM UK head of leisure and hospitality Saxon Moseley said: “September’s results tell a very similar story to August, with reasonable headline revenue growth for the sector but flat like-for-likes.
“Recent trends in the hospitality industry are becoming increasingly baked in, with pubs benefiting from consumers trading down amid weak confidence, while independent and casual dining brands suffer as a consequence.
“With a long wait for clarity in November’s budget, both consumers and operators are in a holding pattern, which could threaten to jeopardise the all-important Christmas trading period.”
CGA said the figures indicated cautious consumer spending in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
Despite this, the tracker stated operators and investors were bullish about the long-term future of hospitality, echoing the recent Business Confidence Survey from CGA by NIQ and Sona.
For only the third month this year, hospitality operators achieved stronger growth in London than elsewhere in the country. Like-for-like sales within the M25 were 0.7% ahead year-on-year, compared to 0.1% outside of the M25.
Steady return
London’s modest revival may reflect the steady return of office workers to the capital after a sustained period of working from home during the pandemic and its aftermath, which has boosted lunchtime food and after-work drinks sales in particular, the tracker explained.
Since the end of September, trading in many parts of the country has been weakened by Storm Amy.
Leaders’ optimism has also been tempered by the upcoming Budget, which is due on 26 November, with the hospitality sector lobbying for relief on tax, labour and other costs.
CGA by NIQ director hospitality operators and food EMEA Karl Chessell added: “September’s sales were nothing to write home about, but they do at least represent stability after a turbulent year for hospitality.
“Conditions are currently significantly better for pub groups, which can look ahead to Christmas and New Year trading with some confidence, but restaurant and bar trends give more cause for concern.
“Whatever their sector, business leaders and investors will be able to look forward with much more confidence if they get the targeted and sustained support they deserve in the November Budget.”
