Stonegate reports positive trading over Christmas period

Stonegate Pub Company has reported a 5.5% increase in like-for-like sales over the festive period.

For the four weeks between 4 December to 31 December 2017, sales at its 701 sites were up across the country, with particularly strong performance in its Slug & Lettuce branded bars thanks to strong sales in premium products.

The results follow a similarly strong performance in 2016, when sales were up 5.3%.

In 2017, Stonegate acquired 21 pubs from JD Wetherspoon, Sports Bar & Grill and Faucet Inn. With the integration of these sites complete, these bars traded alongside mature sites over the period and contributed to the "encouraging" results.

Simon Longbottom, chief executive of Stonegate, said: "I am delighted to report another strong festive trading period, building on the positive like for like trading momentum which Stonegate delivered in 2017. Our range of pub and bar formats and consumer propositions continue to resonate with customers and win market share, underpinning our success and confidence in our drinks-led, high street strategy.

“We enter 2018 with positive trading momentum. This, together with the leading team in drinksled pub retailing, a well invested estate and a growing reputation as the consolidator of choice in the high street pub sector, leaves Stonegate well positioned and we look forward with confidence to another year of progress.”

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