Marston’s has expressed confidence that pub refurbishments and the upcoming FIFA World Cup will help revive sales after a period of stagnation. The Wolverhampton-based pub giant, which operates over 1,300 venues across the UK, saw its shares decline to their lowest point in nearly six months following the announcement of stalled revenue growth.
Financial performance and challenges
For the 26 weeks ending March 28, the company reported total revenues of £422.7 million, a 1.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. The dip was attributed to the timing of investment activities, with temporary closures for refurbishment work costing approximately £2.2 million in lost sales. Additionally, Marston’s noted “softer midweek demand,” although this was offset by strong sales during peak trading periods.
Investment in pub transformations
Marston’s is currently undertaking a significant investment programme to update dozens of its pubs. So far this year, 60 refurbishments have been completed, surpassing previous targets. Notably, 31 of these pubs have been converted into the new Grandstand sport-focused format, which is delivering “particularly strong results,” according to the company. These venues are expected to perform especially well during the World Cup.
Chief Executive Justin Platt remains optimistic about the group’s prospects. “We think the World Cup is going to be a big driver,” he told the Press Association. “We will be showing the games in a massive percentage of our pubs, and with an extra round this year, it should be really positive. Kick-off times could also work well this year, as our peak times are typically between 6pm and 8pm, so the later kick-offs could be really beneficial.”
Despite the recent sales slowdown, Platt emphasised that the group is “well positioned” and has made strong progress during the period. The company continues to focus on its strategic investments to enhance customer experience and drive future growth.
