Thu 8th Aug 2013 - Breaking News - Enterprise reports five weeks of net income growth Enterprise reports five weeks of net income growth: Tenanted pub company Enterprise Inns has reported that it has seen like-for-like net income growth in the first five weeks of its final quarter. A ‘difficult first half of the year’ saw like-for-like net income down by 4.2%. But the company has reported ‘an improving trend in performance’ in the second half with like-for-like net income for the total estate down by 2.7% in the 18 weeks to 3 August 2013. It stated: “Encouragingly, the first five weeks of our final quarter have seen like-for-like net income growth.” The company added: “In the first half of the year our income was adversely impacted by some exceptionally poor winter weather alongside the cessation of trading of Waverley, our wines and spirits distributor. In the third quarter we have faced tough comparatives against the prior year due to the timing of Easter and the positive impact from the Euro 2012 football championship and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. After taking account of these unusual events we estimate that our underlying like-for-like net income in the first half was down by around 2% and has improved in the second half to date to be down by approximately 1%. Key to sustaining our improved performance in like-for-like net income is the successful execution of our many operational activities. The rate of business failures continues to fall and we are making good progress with the roll out of new services to our publicans such as the deployment of free Wi-Fi, the provision of improved food pricing and support and the availability of discounted Sky entertainment packages. We are also maintaining our investment in the estate including the completion of 656 exterior redecorations, many of which have been completed during June and July.” Enterprise reported its asset disposal programme remains on target and as at 3 August 2013 it has completed, exchanged or have in the hands of solicitors disposals of 356 pubs with proceeds of £127 million. It added: “We expect total disposal proceeds for the full year to be in the region of £150 million. Asset disposals combined with cash generated from operations fund the investment in the core estate and continue to reduce bank debt. We are pleased to report that our drawn bank borrowings net of cash are now at £217 million, already below the level of the new bank facility of £220 million, which commences on expiration of the existing facilities on 15 December 2013. Our debt reduction strategy remains on track and we anticipate total net debt being reduced to £2.5 billion by the year end. We are focused on delivering sustainable growth in like-for-like net income across the total estate, driven by constantly improving the quality of our pubs, attracting and retaining the best publicans and providing exceptional business building support. Trading performance continues to improve and, whilst we are unlikely to deliver like-for-like growth for the second half in total, like-for-like growth remains our target for the final quarter.”