Hot weather boosts pub growth but hits restaurant sales, report reveals

A study says weather remains a factor when it comes to out-of-home market sales.

Hot weather in May assisted in boosting trade in Britain’s pubs, but has notably hit restaurant sales according to latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Per the report, the country’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales up 1.4% on May last year.

However, while managed pubs saw collective like-for-likes jump 3.5% for the month, casual dining brands saw like-for-like sales drop 2.1% against the same period last year.

“It’s a familiar story. When the sun shines people head for the pub, or more precisely the pub garden. In contrast, restaurants do better when it’s dull and damp. Weather remains the biggest factor when it comes to sales in the out-of-home market. It’s the way it is,” said Peter Martin, vice president of CGA.

CGA is the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker, in partnership with Coffer Group and RSM.