Brewery Marston's is riding the storm
Pub food and the popularity of quality beer brands have helped Wolverhampton brewers Marston's weather the slump, according to their latest trading statement.
Although the group turnover was 1.9 per cent below last year for the past 10 months, the figure is an improvement on the previous year's 2.8 per cent decline.
The firm describes its performance as "resilient" and reports a marked improvement in income since April.
Sales from pub meals are up by 6.0 per cent in the six weeks to August 1. The trend for eating out accounts for 38 per cent of its total retail sales.
It has also enjoyed an increase of 13 per cent in own-brewed ale volumes and 31 per cent in premium ales. Marston's Pedigree The Official Beer of England Cricket beer is proving very popular.
