Marston’s scores with World Cup and Christmas boost

Pubco Marston’s has reported “encouraging” trading since its October year end, with sales up by almost 7%.

The firm says that bookings over the Christmas period are “building momentum” and are higher than 2019.

Marston’s has also been boosted by England’s two World Cup games, with turnover on those days up by 30% compared to last year.

The company says that it’s final results will be delayed by a week at the request of sister company Carslberg’s auditors, but there is no change in the guidance previously issued.

A statement said: “We remain cognisant of the current macroeconomic environment with the cost-of-living crisis, the impact of the conflict in Ukraine and the resulting challenges this brings in respect of cost inflation and the potential impact on disposable income, as well as potential supply issues. However, pubs have demonstrated their resilience time and time again and, to date, there is little in our trading performance to suggest that there has been a change to consumer behaviour; our guests still want to go out and have an affordable treat in a Marston’s pub.”

Marston’s operates almost 1,500 pubs and employs around 12,000 people.