Consistent growth during the past few years at the south-west England brewer and pubs operator has led to the lfl increase in its managed pubs division for H1 2026.
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Volume and sales growth were recorded across all three core operational categories with food delivering 4.7% lfl growth, drink reaching 5.7% and accommodation achieving 5.2%.
Trading across the estate benefited from great early summer weather with the group’s outdoor space capacity, representing approximately 50% of total covers, enabling pubs to capture high seasonal demand.
A limited number of sports-orientated pubs delivered some stand-out performances during the World Cup, the tournament had a limited impact on the wider group overall but the warm spring and summer helped the UK managed pub division deliver 11.5% lfl growth in the four weeks ending 1 August.
Major redevelopments
Early summer trading also yielded strong results for accommodation and the Channel Islands, both of which benefited from rising costs and travel friction associated with international destinations, positioning the group well for the peak school holiday period. Free trade sales in Jersey grew by 7% year-on-year in the four weeks ending 1 August.
Three major redevelopments are trading in line with or ahead of expectations at the Brown Cow in Fulham, west London; the Mayflower in Lymington, Hampshire; and the Dundas Arms in Kintbury, Berkshire. A fourth major development is under way at the Methuen Arms in Corsham, Wiltshire.
Morning sales have increased for the group by 17% while weddings delivered 37% growth versus the same period last year.
The Butcombe Brewing Co and drinks business has continued to grow with an especially strong performance in the UK free trade growing 7% with product innovation, such as the upcoming collaboration with Hawkstone expected to drive further listings and rate of sale in the free trade in the second half of the year.
Highly encouraging
Lawson said: “It has been a highly encouraging half year, with all areas of the business delivering results that our teams should be very proud of. Consistent growth in recent years has allowed the business to make significant investments in the estate, evolving to meet growing consumer demand for special occasions, weddings, and premium accommodation.
“I’m particularly encouraged given these results have been delivered under trying conditions due to both our own Government’s policies and global macroeconomic factors. I am now on the sixth Prime Minister since I joined Butcombe in 2019 and my request has not changed for Andy Burnham versus any of his predecessors – we need to see a clear plan for growth in the economy and the Government needs to see hospitality as a provider of growth for the country, not a cash cow for taxation with a disproportionate cost base, which deters investment and employment.
“We are optimistic for the second half of the year, with strong early bookings for Christmas. We are also now well into planning for next year and a continuation of our multi-year growth trajectory with new sites playing a part in that growth.
“The new Prime Minster has the ability to assist this growth for us and the sector if he delivers on his promises and recognises the economic engine hospitality can be.”
