Yates Group eyes new sites as trading improves

Yates Group has resumed its search for new outlets after enjoying improved trading.

The parent company of Yates's Wine Lodges postponed new branch openings last year while a review of the business took place.

That overhaul saw the disposal of 18 underperforming outlets as the Bolton-based group faced up to a saturated market.

Yates says the changes made by a new management team are paying off as second-half like-for-like sales grew by 1.2%.

This reversed the 1.4% decline seen in the first-half, and Yates now says full-year results are likely to be in line with group expectations.

The group, which has more than 100 Yates's Wine Lodges as well as the Ha!Ha! Bar & Canteen chain, says it has been encouraged by the early results of a recent refurbishment programme.

The first restyled Yates's branch opened in Oxford in February and has been followed by others in Maidstone, Tamworth, Bristol, Guildford and Newport. A further 20 sites have been earmarked for refurbishment over the next six months.

Yates says it's looking for a "more minimalist approach which eliminates many raised areas and clutter".

While new Ha!Ha! Bar & Canteen branches have opened in Sheffield and Kingston-upon-Thames and a Yates's branch is due to open in Huddersfield next week, the group says it's still early days for its new branch strategy.

Yates adds: "The search for new sites in selected cities and towns has recommenced, but it is premature to give any firm indication of the number of new branches which may open in 2002-3."