UK bar chain Regent lifted by festive recovery

British bar chain Regent Inns today said its bars including Walkabout and Bar Risa Jongleurs were trading positively after a strong festive period.

Like-for-like sales in the six weeks to January 6 rose by 3.4% over the previous year, helping to offset the recent impact on beer volumes caused by poor performances from the England football and cricket teams.

The pick-up in trading comes after a general slowdown in the first half of the year to December 30, amid tough trading conditions following the hot summer.

Pre-tax profits for the 26 weeks to December 30 dropped from £6.4m (€9.7m) to £3.6m (€5.5m), although the company said the figures included a loss of around £500,000 (€760,000) due to the exclusion of New Year’s Eve from the period.

Regent Inns said the introduction of food across its business helped boost sales and revenues, compensating for the reduced spend on alcohol seen since the change to licensing laws.

The regulation changes have seen customers arrive later on the high street, which has impacted early evening sales.