In the most recent results, for the 53 weeks to 31 January 2026, it also outlined how the business unveiled the latest site under its Butcombe Boutique Inns brand – the Welldiggers Arms in Petworth, West Sussex. The proposition, which now comprises 12 locations, delivered 12.5% like-for-like growth.
The Caledonia Private Capital backed firm’s 48-strong tenanted division performed resiliently, the business said, and it is continuing to invest heavily in these venues, which are largely located on the Channel Islands.
Elsewhere in the period, Butcombe reopened the Brown Cow in Fulham, west London, which was one of the group’s biggest ever pub investments in the capital, followed by the Mayflower in Lymington, Hampshire.
Breakfast has been a focus for the business and has resulted in ‘morning food’ sales up more than a quarter (25.9%) like for like.
Loyalty has been another area of concentration for Butcombe meaning 25.3% of its sales in managed pubs are linked to its customer loyalty programme.
Accolades won
The past 12 months have seen the company evolve it into a data-led growth platform, developing seven personas in a bid to enable more personalised offers, communications and experiences.
The company noted a number of accolades over the past 12 months including winning Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) at the 2026 Publican Awards and being named in the latest Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK for the second year running.
Key trading days played an important role in the trading update with 10% like-for-like growth across the four-day Easter weekend this year, compared to last and Mother’s Day was one of the company’s highest trading days of the year.
More recently, the May half term saw 15.5% like-for-like growth on top of the 8.2% in the same week last year to deliver its highest ever sales week outside of the festive period.
For its brewing arm, the UK Butcombe drinks business achieved sales growth of 5% with earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) up 3%.
Strong year
Butcombe Group CEO Jonathan Lawson said: “We are very pleased to share these results, which graphically illustrates a strong year with all areas of our business contributing.
“First and foremost, this performance is only possible due to the considerable and concerted efforts of our amazing people and I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all of them.
“The 12-month period to the end of January 2026 was a very strong year for Butcombe Group. The growth we delivered was all the more impressive in that it followed a prior year of significant growth and momentum for the business.
“We continue to build a leading, premium pubs and boutique inns business, allied to a first-class beer, brands and drinks operation, all underpinned by operational excellence, innovation and strategic investment with strong momentum as we head into our new financial year.”
Looking ahead, Butcombe said the trading environment was less certain that it envisaged six months ago with low consumer confidence and the likelihood of rising inflation in the second half of the year.
It stated it would do its best to protect customers from these pressures and take a long-term view on what is the right thing for the business – an approach that has served it well over the past five years with the support of Caledonia.
There are also plans to build on the customer loyalty momentum with AI-driven hyper-personalisation to help deliver a more seamless consumer journey.
