Walkabout pubs boost profits at Regent Inns

Regent Inns, the group which runs the Walkabout and Bar Monaco pub brands, today reported a 13% pre-tax profit rise for the six months ended 1 January 2000.

The group, which opened nine Walkabouts during the period, saw pre-tax profit rise to £6.8m on turnover up 30% to £36.4m Like-for-like sales during the period increased by 4.4%.

Regent Inns now operates 19 Walkabouts and three Bar Monacos.

But group food sales have declined from 13% of turnover to 10%. A spokesman said that the drop came as the Walkabout brand, where the drive is on wet sales, became a bigger part of the company.

Regent Inns also operates the Red Boot pub in the Millennium Dome. Sales during the summer are predicted to reach £40,000 a week.