Marston’s encouraged as Christmas party bookings increase in London

Fourth quarter pub sales edged up ahead of pre-pandemic levels and Christmas party bookings in London are “slightly” ahead of expectations, the new chief executive of Marston’s has said.

Andrew Andrea, who took the top job earlier this month and was previously finance chief, said he has been “encouraged by the trading momentum” since lockdowns started to ease for the hospitality sector in April.

But Marston’s cautioned it is not immune to industry headwinds. It said: “With regards to supply chain challenges, we have seen some small pockets of disruption however, we are working closely with our suppliers to manage this.”

Andrea told the Evening Standard one example included some pies the group orders facing some delays. He added: “We are not running out of food, but in some cases we’re having to sell alternative products.”

The firm is less exposed than some businesses to rising prices, because the majority of its 2022 costs are now contracted in.

Marston’s said in the quarter to October 2 sales at pubs it runs, around 1200, were 2% higher than the same period in 2019.

Total pub sales in the full year were £402 million, hit by lockdown restrictions. A year earlier £515 million was recorded, before rules came in and when the group had around 170 more pubs it has since sold.

Andrea succeeded long standing boss Ralph Findlay who stepped down.