THE owner of pub chains including Chef & Brewer and Fayre & Square said the recent autumn heatwave had given a boost to sales.
Spirit Pub Company said like-for-like sales from its managed estate rose by 4.8% in the eight weeks since the middle of August, with drinks sales matching the 5% growth seen in food sales over the period.
The group, which has about 1,350 pubs, said it outperformed the market in the two months – but expected no respite from tough trading conditions over the rest of the financial year.
Underlying profits for the year to August 20 rose by 17% to £48m.
