Brighton Pier Group warns full-year Ebitda expected to be below market expectations following ‘disappointing’ year-to-date trading: Brighton Pier Group has warned full-year Ebitda is expected to be below market expectations following “disappointing” year-to-date trading, primarily due to poor weather. The company stated: “As previously announced, the first 18 weeks of the year saw like-for-like sales approximately £0.5m below the equivalent period in 2023, owing primarily to poor weather impacting trading on Brighton Palace Pier. In the recent months since the last update, poor weather has continued adversely impacting sales at the pier, through a combination of rides closures and lower footfall. Entering into the busy July summer holiday season, footfall for the four-week July period (ending on 21 July) was down 29% compared with the equivalent weeks in 2023. Despite a warm and sunny spell in the last week, and the successful implementation of charging non-residents £1 for admission to the pier during peak trading periods (both of which have alleviated some of the trading pressures on the pier), the group now anticipates full-year sales for the pier will be lower than previously expected. The performance of the remaining three divisions are broadly consistent with that reported previously. At Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park, a renewed focus on enhancing the visitor experience through promotional offers and events, and successful marketing campaigns, has improved footfall versus the prior year. Although trading has not reached its full potential due to weather, sales for 2024 remain ahead of the equivalent weeks of 2023. Paradise Island Adventure Golf has again delivered a resilient trading performance with sales only marginally below the previous year. The late-night sector continues to present trading challenges in the bars division, although the disposal of the three loss-making sites in the early months of the year has partially mitigated the impact on earnings. The group has yet to trade the remaining six weeks of the summer season through to the end of August. This period has typically contributed a significant portion of annual group sales and earnings. However, despite the earnings from admission revenue, and the potential for improved weather in August, the group no longer believes the year-to-date sales and earnings shortfall will be recovered and accordingly expect the group’s Ebitda for the full financial year to be below market expectations.” Chief executive Anne Ackord said: “Despite significant efforts by our divisional management teams, who continue as always to strive for the best results possible, the overall group trading performance year-to-date has been disappointing. The potential return of summer weather in the next six weeks, combined with the additional revenue from admission charging may offset some of the year to date trading deficit. Nevertheless, it is the board’s view that the trading for the full 2024 summer season will be below expectations.” A new report produced by Propel on the fast-growing experiential leisure sector will be available to purchase on Thursday, 1 August. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes more than 190 companies, 3,500 sites and a 35,000-word report. Existing Premium Club members can receive the report on Thursday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium members on Tuesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.