Whitbread sees restaurant slowdown

Leisure group Whitbread said the casual dining market in the UK had become “more difficult” as it reported a slowdown in sales growth today.

The owner of the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains said the economic situation and barbecue weather conditions in April meant its pub restaurant arm saw a 1.4% decline in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to June 2.