Marston’s sales snowed under

Pub operator Marston’s, which recently unveiled plans to move into Scotland, has blamed the recent spell of snowy weather for a slowdown in sales growth after enjoying encouraging trading over the festive season.

Like-for-like sales across its 500 managed pubs for the 16 weeks to 19 January were 1.2 per cent higher than the same period last year, “despite the significant impact of snow” during the final week. In comparison, sales in the 15 weeks to 12 January were up 2.1 per cent, boosted by a 3.5 per cent rise in food sales.

Marston’s also has 1,650 leased or tenanted pubs and owns the Hobgoblin and Pedigree beer brands. It said beer volumes were up 5 per cent year-on-year.

In October, it said it aimed to build up to five pubs a year in Scotland, starting with Dunbar.