Sales cheer from M&B and Punch

PUBS groups Punch Taverns and Mitchells & Butlers today reported robust trading and welcomed the forthcoming relaxation of rules on opening hours.

M&B highlighted its London pubs as having seen a distinct recovery, offsetting more-challenging conditions on the High Street.

Tourists from continental Europe filled its West End-located All Bar One and Nicholson pubs while an improvement in sentiment in the City helped fuel business in the Square Mile.

M&B chief executive Tim Clarke poured scorn on stories being promoted by some commentators over the proposed licensing law changes, which theoretically pave the way for 24-hour drinking.

He said: 'As far as we're concerned, there will not be a single pub in our estate opening for 24 hours. Where we are going to be applying for some extensions it will typically be for an extra one or two hours on Friday and Saturday nights.'

M&B's underlying sales growth was up 3.8% like-for-like in the past 16 weeks while Punch's was up 2% in the 20 weeks since August.