Hot and cold weather blamed as Revolution Bars warns on profits

Revolution Bars has 73 sites in the UK

Joanna Hodgson14 June 2018

Cocktails specialist Revolution Bars on Thursday blamed both hot and cold weather for lower sales, as it warned on profits.

Chairman Keith Edelman said his firm’s 73 sites were hit by two extremes: the Beast from the East keeping people indoors and hot weather in May enticing Brits to beer gardens instead of indoor bars.

Comparable sales fell 1.7% in the second half up to June 9. Total sales rose 7.3%.

Full-year underlying profits are now likely to fall below the expected £16 million and be in line with last year’s £15.1 million.

Shares fell 17.82p to 138.78p.

The company was last year at the centre of a £105.5 million tussle when pubs group Stonegate vied with nightclub operator Deltic to buy Revolution Bars.

No deal was agreed and boss Mark McQuater quit. His replacement Rob Pitcher starts on June 25.

Revolution said it will continue to expand and is looking to invest in improving its food offering.