Fuller’s improves at Christmas after watered-down summer
CUSTOMERS flocked to Fuller’s pubs over Christmas, as the landlord and brewer reported a 4.5 per cent like-for-like sales rise during the festive period in its core business.
After declining sales for much of the year, improved trading in the nine weeks to 19 January has pushed Fuller’s to a 2.6 per cent rise in like-for-like sales for its managed pubs and hotels division in the 42 weeks of the current financial year.
Fuller’s, which owns nearly 400 establishments mainly in the south east, including Square Mile favourites The Counting House and The Swan, had blamed the wet weather during the summer for a decline in revenues earlier in the financial year.
The company is pursuing acquisition opportunities, but managing director Simon Emeny said: “No matter how much money we invest I would hope for better weather more than anything.”