Fuller's sees sales rise following Rugby World Cup
Pub firm and brewer Fuller, Smith and Turner has enjoyed a strong half-year to 26 September 2015, thanks in part to the effect of the Rugby World Cup.
The company unveiled a 10% rise in adjusted profit before tax to £21.6m over the period, with revenue up 10% to £177.7m.
Like-for-like sales in its managed pubs and hotels grew by 5.6% against strong comparatives from last year, and the firm hailed a "good performance" from its tenanted inns, with like-for-like profits increasing by 3%.
Total beer and cider volumes in the company's brewing arm, the Fuller's Beer Company, were up 1%.
Fuller's acquired to new freehold pubs over the period, as well as the freeholds of three existing sites including the Barrowboy and Banker on London Bridge.
It also opened a new site in Plymouth for pizza and cider restaurant group the Stable, and relocated the Stable in Bath to a premium location.
Chief Executive Simon Emeny said: "We have had a strong first half with all areas of the business in growth, demonstrating the clear trading momentum under way in the business. It is particularly rewarding, coming on the back of a good prior year. During the last six months, our managed pubs and hotels have had excellent growth, the tenanted division has put in another good performance and the beer company has also made progress.
"We have purchased two new sites since the period end. The Great Northern Railway Tavern is in the North London suburb of Hornsey, an area where we are currently under-represented. The other is the Sutton Arms in the City, close to Farringdon station. In addition, we opened the Stable in Southampton in the cultural quarter of this university city. We have an exciting pipeline of acquisitions and will be opening the Sail Loft on Greenwich Reach in January.
"In short, having completed the first half of this financial year, I look forward to the rest of the year with optimism."
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