Heavy rain hits Mitchells sales

Harvester and Toby Carvery owner Mitchells & Butlers said like-for-like sales growth nearly ground to a halt in the 11 weeks to April 7, rising just 0.2 per cent compared to 4.4 per cent in the 17 weeks to January 21.

Mitchells, which saw underlying pre-tax profits drop 8 per cent to £68m in the 28 weeks to April 7, said the heavy rainfall has seen a further slowdown in sales in the weeks running up to May 12, which hit both food and drink at its 1,600 UK sites.

The group, which also owns All Bar One, O’Neill’s and Crown Carveries, serves an estimated 125 million meals and 425 million drinks a year.

The owner of some of Britain’s best known pubs revealed a sharp slowdown in sales today as persistent rainfall dampened punters’ desire to head out.

Harvester and Toby Carvery owner Mitchells & Butlers said like-for-like sales growth nearly ground to a halt in the 11 weeks to April 7, rising just 0.2 per cent compared to 4.4 per cent in the 17 weeks to January 21.

Mitchells, which saw underlying pre-tax profits drop 8 per cent to £68m in the 28 weeks to April 7, said the heavy rainfall has seen a further slowdown in sales in the weeks running up to May 12, which hit both food and drink at its 1,600 UK sites.

The group, which also owns All Bar One, O’Neill’s and Crown Carveries, serves an estimated 125 million meals and 425 million drinks a year.