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Urban Pubs and Bars has reported that like-for-like sales rose 14.5% over the festive period, with December sales being significantly higher as total covers increased by 40% compared with December 2024.
The London-based pub operator’s performance capped what it described as a strong year overall, supported by investment and an expanding estate of pubs, bars and restaurants across the capital.
Chris Hill, managing director of Urban Pubs and Bars, said: “We’ve delivered our best Christmas ever. The energy across the business continues to be fantastic, and this performance is a huge credit to our teams. Finishing the year so strongly puts us in a brilliant position as we head into the new year.”
The trading update comes as the group continues to grow through acquisitions. Last week, the company announced it had bought The Birdcage in east London from BrewDog, marking its sixth acquisition of 2026.
The deal follows the completion of five premium hospitality venues in January, including The Prince Regent in Herne Hill and four sites acquired from Brunning and Price.
Those venues include The Roebuck and The Steam Packet in Chiswick, The Queens in Crouch End and Coco Momo in Kensington.
The recent acquisitions followed the purchase of Albion and East late last year, and form part of what the company has described as a targeted expansion strategy.
Urban Pubs and Bars was founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and is backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual. It operates 66 sites across London and focuses on neighbourhood pubs, bars and restaurants.
