Fuller's toasts 4.3% like-for-like festive spike  

Fuller's has reported that like-for-like sales over Christmas and the New Year in its managed pubs was up 4.3%.

Like-for-likes in its managed pubs for the 42 weeks to 18 January 2020 were up 2.5% with food, drink and accommodation all in growth.

However, it added that tenanted like-for-like profits were down 3% in the period.

Chief executive Simon Emeny said: "It's been a year of change for Fuller's and this is a good first Christmas as a focused premium pubs and hotels business.

"We have exciting plans in place for the coming months including the opening of our new sites the Windjammer at Royal Dock, the White Horse at Wembley Park and the Parcel Office at Liverpool Street Station. We will also be moving to our new offices at Pier House in Chiswick at the end of March.

"This is a very busy time for Fuller's as we complete the integration of Cotswolds Inns & Hotels, undertake a number of major capex projects including the redevelopment of the Bear of Burton in Dorset and our new Bel & The Dragon site at Westerham in Kent, as well as continue to grow our existing business.

“In addition, we are approaching the conclusion of the transitional services agreement with Asahi, while maintaining a keen focus on reducing our central costs against a backdrop of rising wage inflation and business rates. There is a lot to do – but we relish the challenge."