The Blackpool-based pubco reported record turnover and profits in its results for the 52 weeks ended 1 February 2026 and is the first full year period of trading since it was acquired by Epiris in October 2024, during which the business has focused on growing in the south-east of England.
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The group delivered record revenue and earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in FY26. Revenue increased 9.6% to £131.5m (2025: £119.9m) and EBITDA was up 11.5% to £28.1m (2025: £25.2m).
Like-for-like sales increased 2.4% in the year, despite a particularly strong first half to 2024 prior year comparative period which benefited from the Euros in June and July 2024. Like for like sales were flat in H1, increasing to 5.5% in H2.
Loss before tax was £9.2m (2025: loss of £3.6m), reflecting £22.3m of interest costs (2025: £5.6m) in relation to senior loans, preference shares and the sale and leaseback financing completed in the prior period.
£13.5m investment in new sites
In opening 16 sites in FY26, Amber invested £15.3m in locations ranging from Airdrie and Leith in Scotland to Barry in Wales, as well as Guiseley (Yorkshire), Whitchurch (Herefordshire) and Norton (Hertfordshire) in England.
The year also saw the business open its inaugural site in the south of England in Gosport (Hampshire) in September 2025. Further new openings followed in southern locations such as Taunton and Stroud in the period.
Since the end of FY26, four pubs have opened in Barnstaple (the Strand Social), Weymouth (the Donkey Social), Weston super Mare (three Brass Monkeys) and Peterborough (Broadway Social) with further sites to open in Alloa (the Thistle) and Salisbury (Cooper and Co).
New sites are due to open in Cosham, Thornaby (Teeside), Colchester, Dumbarton, Hastings, Eastleigh and Bromley over the coming months with the Bromley pub marking Amber’s first site inside the M25.
During the year, James Baer was appointed chairman of the group in August 2025. Joanne Jones retired as CFO at the end of November 2025, following 15 years with the business, and has been succeeded by Glenn Pearson, who joined Amber from New World Trading Company. Since the end of FY26, Richard Lewis joined as CEO earlier this month.
Offer continues to resonate
On current trade, Amber said it has “continued to perform well and current trading remains in line, following the hiatus of the World Cup at the end of H1. Margins remain solid and ahead of last year”.
Baer added: “Amber remains testament to the validity of thriving community pubs. The group has delivered another strong trading performance, underpinning our conviction that the strength of our retail offer, with its focus on a well-invested, quality environment and exceptional value, continues to resonate with customers despite the ongoing cost of living challenges.
“With Richard now in situ as our new CEO and an exciting site pipeline, Amber remains well placed to continue to outperform. We are particularly encouraged by the traction we are gaining in the south of England, where we see opportunity for further expansion.
“With a well proven formula of a value offer in a modern community pub environment, Amber remains on track for another year of growth as we further establish the business as a leading national pub company.”
