According to the latest NIQ RSM hospitality business tracker, pub sales fell 0.2% year on year during the month, compared with growth of 2.8% in March, with operators hit by cooler and wetter weather across key trading periods including the Easter weekend.
The figures highlight the volatility of pub trading, following an unusually hot day earlier in the month that delivered significant uplifts for pubs with outdoor space.
Pub gardens ‘empty’
The tracker said pub gardens and terraces in some parts of the country remained empty throughout April, creating tough comparisons against the warm and sunny weather seen in April 2025.
Across the wider hospitality sector, like-for-like sales fell 0.4%, marking the third month of negative growth in the first four months of 2026.
Restaurants remained broadly flat, with sales edging up 0.1%, while bars continued to struggle, recording a 5.8% drop in like-for-like sales, their weakest performance since October.
On a total sales basis, which includes revenue from venues opened within the last 12 months, hospitality sales rose 2.8% in April, although this remained below inflation.
Trading in London continued to outperform the rest of the country, with like-for-like sales up 1.9% inside the M25, compared with a 1.3% decline elsewhere.
‘A tough start’
Karl Chessell, director hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “After a tough start to 2026, hospitality groups’ like-for-like growth has now been below inflation for 12 straight months.
“With key operating costs so high and consumers’ spending restricted yet further by the impacts of high oil prices, trading conditions won’t be getting easier anytime soon.
“The confidence of businesses and individuals alike is running low and pub operators in particular will be hoping for brighter weather to tempt people out and stimulate spending over the summer.”
Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, added: “The industry is working incredibly hard just to stand still, with operators continuing to cut back on employment to manage soaring costs.
“The industry will be hoping that a successful summer of sport and good weather can lift spirits and drive growth in these challenging times.”
