Sales at UK pubs and restaurants were largely flat in July, with 0.6 per cent growth on last year, according to industry monitor the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Growth was similar across the regions, but London lagged behind with 0.5 per cent growth compared with 0.7 per cent for the rest of the country. Peter Martin, vice-president of CGA, which produces the tracker, dismissed fears over fragile consumer confidence, but added that increases in business rates and food costs were putting a squeeze on margins for pubs and restaurants. After accounting for new openings, total sales growth for the 37 companies in the tracker was 3.7 per cent.
Analysts at Numis described the numbers as disappointing, adding that they were “likely to reflect emerging pressures on consumer disposable income”. Operators are facing higher costs too, with 80 per cent introducing price rises to offset these.
