Pub giant points to Nottingham as growth city

Nottingham has been named by pub giant Wetherspoon as a growth city for its venues.

In a trading update released on Wednesday (November 10), Wetherspoon said that although it had noticed a drop-off in older customers, younger drinkers were driving growth in its city centre pubs, with sales rising central Liverpool (+9.1%), Newcastle Upon Tyne (+11.1%), Oxford (+11.3%), Chester (+4.3%), Bournemouth (+4.2%), Nottingham (+3.6%), Cardiff (+3.5%) and Manchester (+0.4%).

Wetherspoon said that, in the last 15 weeks, there has been a “considerable increase” in sales of the range of drinks often consumed by younger customers, for example cocktails (+45%), vodka (+17%) and rum (+26%).

In contrast, draught products, more often consumed by older customers, have been under pressure, with traditional ales down by 30% and stout down by 20%, for example.

Food volumes appear to have been affected by some customers working from home, says Wetherspoon, with breakfasts, for example, down by 22% and coffee down by 30%.

The company’s pubs which trade under the Lloyds banner, with music, mostly at the weekends, were +0.5%, probably reflecting a higher percentage of younger customers.

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said: “With no music in Wetherspoon pubs (apart from 46 trading as Lloyds), a material proportion of our trade comes from older customers, some of whom have visited pubs less frequently in recent times.

“As outlined in our annual report, published in October 2021, there have been no outbreaks of Covid-19, as defined by the health authorities, among customers in Wetherspoon pubs.

“However, some customers have been understandably cautious. Improvement in trade will therefore depend, to some extent, on the outlook for the Covid-19 virus.

“Whereas we have an increased element of caution about near-term sales, ‘booster’ vaccinations and better weather in the spring are likely to have a positive impact in the coming months.

“The last 18 months have presented a considerable challenge to the hospitality industry, with many unexpected twists and turns.

“As in previous downturns, the company will continue to concentrate on providing high standards of service, reasonable prices and regular, small upgrades to the business.”