Pubs see August sales rise 2.8% as restaurants and bars decline
Restaurant groups reported a 1.6% fall in sales, while bars were down 5% and the on-the-go segment slipped 4.5%
Register to get 1 more free article
Reveal the article below by registering for our email newsletter.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Britain’s managed pub groups saw warm weather lift their like-for-like sales by 2.8% in August, but restaurants and bars experienced sales declines of 1.6% and 5% respectively, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker shows.
Pubs marked their best month since April thanks to sustained sunshine, which helped beer and cider sales and drew customers to pubs with outdoor space.
In contrast, restaurant groups reported a 1.6% fall in sales, while bars were down 5% and the on-the-go segment slipped 4.5%.
Across all channels, like-for-like sales edged up 0.5% – the first positive month since April and only the third of 2025. Including new site openings, total sales were 3.9% higher year-on-year, slightly ahead of UK inflation.
Hospitality groups outside London outperformed those within the capital, with sales outside the M25 growing 0.6%, compared with a 0.3% rise inside.
Karl Chessell, director for hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “August’s figures complete a challenging summer for hospitality. Ongoing price rises are making consumers cautious, and while the sunshine loosened some people’s spending in pubs, many restaurants have found it hard to generate the sustained real-terms growth that is needed to mitigate sharp increases in costs.
“The future remains bright for well-run, good-value and guest-focused hospitality groups, but the outlook remains difficult for some businesses as we move into the crucial final months of the year.”
Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, added: “The hospitality industry returned to growth in August with positive like-for-like sales for the first time since April. While good news for the sector, the figures do mask differing fortunes, with restaurants in particular continuing to report real term reductions in turnover.
“As we enter the final months of the year, all will be hoping that the budget will provide a boost to consumer confidence and offer some relief to a sector that has borne the brunt of this year’s tax rises.”
