Pubs and brewing group Greene King today said sunnier weather and its shift towards food had paid dividends in strong recent trading.
Like-for-like sales across its managed outlets – which include Old English Inns and the Hungry Horse chain – rose 5.2% in the eight weeks to June 28.
Food now accounts for more than a third of its retail sales but the better weather also saw an improved performance from its drink-led pubs, the firm added.
Despite uncertainty over the outlook, the firm – behind the market-leading Greene King IPA cask ale – added that brewing volumes were also 12.1% ahead.
Pre-tax profits were down 15% to £118.5m in the year to May 3, but higher than expected at the time of its recent £200m rights issue.
