The Covent Garden food hall, which houses 21 independent food traders and two bars, recorded £1.8m in total sales during the month, despite wider challenges facing the on-trade sector.
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The performance comes as industry data from NIQ showed drinks sales across managed venues declined year on year in three of the four weeks in October.
New programme
KERB attributed its growth to the launch of Dials after Dark, a new programme of live music, DJs and performances held on Friday and Saturday evenings, which it said had helped increase footfall and encourage customers to stay longer.
The operator also partnered with Meantime Brewing Company for a ten-day Halloween takeover, transforming the venue into Seven Sins Market.
The event featured branded bars, live entertainment and £5 pint promotions, with more than 1,500 serves of Meantime beer sold during the activation.
Driving evening trade
KERB chief executive Simon Mitchell said the results showed consumers were still willing to spend on nights out when operators offered compelling experiences.
He said: “A lot is said about consumer sentiment and drinks sales, but what we’ve seen over the last month is that consumers are still looking for good times and social occasions.
“The challenge for hospitality operators is giving people a compelling reason to go out, particularly when household budgets remain under pressure.”
The performance reflects wider trends explored in The Morning Advertiser’s (MA) investigation into what pubs can learn from the growth of food halls, including the role of events, brand collaborations and varied food offers in attracting customers.
Looking ahead, KERB is launching a festive takeover in partnership with Baileys, running from 12 November to 31 December, featuring seasonal food and drink offers alongside entertainment and daily happy hours.
Mitchell finished: “From Dials after Dark to our Meantime partnership over Halloween, we’re continually looking at how we can make the market an even better place for people to come together.”
