Events drive strong financial performance for Marston’s

Pub group Marston’s has revealed year-on-year profit growth of 20.1% for the 26 weeks between 29 September 2024 and 29 March 2025.

The first half of its 2025 financial year saw it make an underlying profit of £63.3m, compared to £52.7m in H1 2024.

Revenue remained fairly stable at £427.4m (H1 2024: £428.1m) despite around £50m of disposals in full-year 2024, which the pub group said demonstrated “the strength of the core estate”, numbering 1,333 pubs.

Like-for-like sales were up 2.9% in the 31 weeks to 3 May, with strong growth of 10.5% in the five weeks since the period ended.

The chain believes these results were underpinned by “strong operational delivery and strategic cost-saving measures”, with events such as a Paddington in Peru partnership and Cool Hand Cup darts tournament with 2024 world champion Luke Humphries driving demand.

Following this trading period Marston’s posted a record Mother’s Day performance, with sales up 17% and drinks up 22% on last year, and more than a million pints of draught sold over the recent Bank Holiday weekend.

Justin Platt, chief executive of Marston’s, said: “The first half has been a period of significant momentum for Marston’s, with the execution of a market-leading pub operating model, investment in our differentiated pub formats and progress in our digital transformation driving strong margin and profit growth.

“Through our impactful calendar of demand-driving events and the dedication of our passionate, local teams, we continue to deliver great guest experiences every day, powering our industry-leading guest reputation scores. With strong recent trading across our nationwide estate of great local pubs, we are excited for the summer months ahead.”

Platt added that the group remained “confident in achieving our financial goals for the full year”.

Last summer, Marston’s sold its 40% stake in its brewing joint venture with Carlsberg to create a business “entirely focused on pubs”.

Marston’s said at the time the move would allow it to concentrate on growing its UK pub business.