Revolution Bars thriving despite terror attacks

Revolution Bars Group, the Manchester-based operator of the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, says that although terrorist attacks in Manchester and London impacted on its business, it has enjoyed a 9.2% increase in sales to £130.4m.

Like-for-like sales rose by 1.5%, down from the 1.7% reported after 44 weeks, in the period to July 1.

“The terrorist attacks in Manchester on May 22 and in London on June 3 impacted business during the days that followed, particularly in the North West where the group has a significant number of venues – five in central Manchester and five in Liverpool,” a statement said.

As planned, the group opened six new bars in the period.

Revolución de Cuba bars at Harrogate, Reading, Aberdeen and Glasgow, all of which were opened in the first half, were followed by new Revolution bars in Southend (late April) and Torquay (late May).

Average weekly sales for the bars opened are ahead of the board’s expectations, Revolution said.
The Revolution bar in Macclesfield closed in early May for a relaunch in the coming months, while a further Revolución de Cuba bar opened in Belfast at the end of last week.

The group currently trades from 68 sites, 54 under the Revolution format and 14 under the Revolución de Cuba format.

“The business continues to deliver high returns on invested capital and the group plans to open six new bars in the new financial year, including Belfast that has just opened, split equally between the two brands,” the statement said.