Sales at major pub and restaurant chains holding up

Sales at the UK’s major restaurant and pub operators are generally holding up against last year despite the squeeze on consumer spending and increased competition from supermarkets, research has revealed.

Aggregated figures from 12 major groups – including Mitchells & Butlers, Whitbread, Punch Pub Company, Gondola Holdings and Tragus - show that like-for-like sales in May were up by 0.6% compared to last year, and 3.7% up compared to April.