With the UK experiencing its wettest April to June since records began, many pub gardens have been empty so far this year which Fuller’s blamed for a drop of 1.1 per cent in like-for-like sales for the 15 weeks from 1 April to 14 July.
However, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Euro 2012 being held during the same period did give the group’s managed pubs and hotels a welcome boost with overall sales up 8 per cent, the company said today in an interim trading statement.
Sales at the group’s tenanted inns and Fuller’s Beer Company also both rose 1 per cent, which Fuller’s said was helped by the launch of two new beers – Hope and Glory in May and Wild River in June.
Olympic hopes
Fuller’s chairman Michael Turner said there was hope that the London 2012 Olympics, which start on 27 July, would boost sales for the rest of the summer. The group has even developed an area on its website highlighting the close proximity of its pubs to Olympic venues - there are 14 within a 10 minute walk of the capital's official Olympic sites.
“With the opening ceremony a mere nine days away and as the Olympic Torch weaves its way closer to the capital, past a growing number of our pubs and hotels, we can see the excitement building,” he said.
"The Brewery is running at full tilt to ensure that everyone can celebrate with a pint of London Pride.”
Sporting events have so far proved a positive boost for pubs this year. Last month Orchid said Euro 2012 had enabled it to experience a like-for-like growth of 300 per cent across its 290-strong estate.