Fri 10th Jul 2020 - Pubs and restaurants see trade down 45% on reopening weekend Pubs and restaurants see trade down 45% on reopening weekend: Those managed pub, bar and restaurant companies that reopened sites in England last weekend have reported like-for-like trading 44.5% down on the corresponding weekend last year, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker data. Tracker figures revealed more than one-third (36%) of group-operated sites were open for eating and drinking inside on 4 and 5 July, the first time hospitality businesses were allowed to reopen fully in England since the lock-down. Managed pubs and bars that opened saw sales more than two-fifths (44.7%) below pre-covid levels compared with the same weekend in 2019. Group-owned restaurants that were open saw sales 41.1% down. However, many more pubs opened their doors than restaurants. The industry barometer shows more than two-fifths (42%) of managed pubs, bars and pub restaurants traded, while only 12% of restaurants were open for business. “Trading at around 55% of pre-covid norms may seem a disappointing result – and it won’t be profitable for operators – but it is very much in line with what we have seen in other markets,” said Karl Chessell, director of CGA, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker, in partnership with The Coffer Group and RSM. “When bars and restaurants began reopening in the US during May, it was only after a couple of weeks that sales reached 54% of pre-covid levels, according to data from Nielsen CGA, our Chicago-based research business. It is going to take time for the trade to return – but this provides a foundation on which to build consumer confidence and adapt and improve operations.” In total, 32 companies provided data to the Tracker out of its usual cohort of 58, with another 17 operators reporting they had yet to open any sites. The 32 companies were The Alchemist, Banana Tree Restaurants, Bermondsey Pub Company, Bill’s, BrewDog, Coaching Inn Group, Dominion Hospitality, Fuller’s, Gaucho Grill, Giggling Squid, Honest Burgers, Laine Pub Co, Loungers, Marston’s, Mitchells & Butlers (Harvester, Toby, Miller & Carter, All Bar One), New World Trading Co, Oakman Inns and Restaurants, Peach Pubs, Prezzo, Punch Pub Co, The Restaurant Group (Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquitos, Brunning & Price), Rosa’s Thai Café, Snug Bar, St Austell Brewery, Star Pubs & Bars, Stonegate Pub Company (Slug and Lettuce, Yates’s, Walkabout), True North Brew Co, Upham Pub Company, Various Eateries (Strada, Coppa Club), Wagamama, Whitbread (Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table) and YO! CGA will report trading progress via the Tracker on a weekly basis as the market begins to recover and more sites reopen, including measuring week-on-week increases.