Britain’s managed groups’ like-for-likes fall 0.6% in March but pub sales heat up in the sunshine: Britain’s managed groups’ like-for-like sales fell 0.6% in March, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. It completes a subdued first quarter of 2025 for operators, after a 1.3% year-on-year decline in sales in January and growth of just 0.1% in February, and suggests consumers remain cautious about their spending. However, managed pub groups saw a positive performance with like-for-like sales up 3.6% in March as they benefited from the sunshine and events including Mother’s Day and St Patrick’s Day. It means that for the fourth month in a row pubs outperformed restaurants, which saw like-for-like sales slip by 5.7%. The timing of Easter is a mitigating factor in this comparison, as trading in March 2024 was inflated by the long holiday weekend, which fell instead in April this year. The tracker – produced by CGA by NIQ in partnership with RSM UK – shows bars’ sales were down by 9.2%, extending a long run of negative numbers, while the on-the-go channel achieved fractional growth of 0.1%. Total sales across all channels – including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months – were 1.8% ahead of March 2024. This is below the UK’s wider rate of inflation of 2.6% in March 2025, as measured by the consumer prices index. Better weather in the south of England meant trading was slightly better in London than elsewhere in March. Groups’ sales inside the M25 were ahead by 1.1% year-on-year, but further afield they were 1.1% behind. Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “It’s clear that patchy consumer confidence is compromising spending in hospitality. However, a bright March for pubs suggests people are still going out in good numbers, especially when there are special occasions to celebrate, and the Easter weekend should make for more favourable comparisons in April. Nevertheless, with operators’ costs rising again this month and wider economic concerns mounting, the trading environment is likely to remain challenging throughout the second quarter.”
Merlin partners with Paramount to open first Paw Patrol-themed land in UK: Merlin Entertainments is partnering with Paramount to open the first Paw Patrol-themed land in the UK. The land will launch at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey next year. Merlin said the collaboration is part of its strategy to work with owners of leading intellectual property to bring premium brands to life in key locations across the world and comes hot on the heels of its recent global partnership with Minecraft. Merlin added it also signals the company's ambition to broaden its offering to families with pre-school children. The development at Chessington will include the creation of first-of-its-kind concepts, not only with four Paw Patrol-themed rides, but also guest accommodation and a customised retail offer. Merlin chief executive Fiona Eastwood said: “We're delighted to be joining forces with Paramount to bring Paw Patrol to life in one of our most popular UK theme parks. The partnership reinforces our position as the preferred partner for the world's most beloved brands and builds on our expanding offer to families with younger children, who are a key audience for us as part of our future growth plans.” Marie Marks, senior vice-president, global experiences at Paramount, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Merlin to bring these beloved pups to their first fully themed land in the UK. Chessington World of Adventures and Nickelodeon have a deep commitment to creating entertainment that families can enjoy together, and we are delighted this new themed land will immerse young visitors in their very own Paw Patrol adventure.”
