Most UK pubs saw trade improve in second week of Olympics
The majority of UK pubs saw an upturn in business during the second week of the London Olympics, a recent survey by trade body the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has found.
The survey discovered that 60% of pubs reported an upturn in business, with 20% of operators reporting sales increases of 11% or more compared with the same period last year. Furthermore, just 10% of operators reported logistical difficulties as a result of the Games.
This improved performance comes as a boon to the industry after many operators reported poor trading figures in the week leading up to the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
ALMR chief executive Nick Bish said: "The public perception was that London wouldn't be able to handle the Games influx, so people stayed away. But these fears were unjustified and then it became clear that pubs and bars were after all the best place to celebrate the success of Team GB.
"It's heartening to see such a turnaround after a difficult first week of trading and to report that pubs and bars are an essential part. This is a testament to the warmth, vibrancy and vitality of the modern British pub.
"The significant improvement in week two indicates both the massive outpouring of support for the London Olympics and the wonderful work done by entrepreneurial operators to ensure that everyone who came out to experience the Games was able to enjoy the very best of British hospitality."
By Tom Vaughan
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