Fine start to spring trade

A snapshot survey of the trade showed last week's good weather, sporting fixtures and Mothers' Day combined to produce record takings.

Ian Payne, chairman of Town & City Pubs and Bay Restaurants, said: "Cash-wise it was a great week. On the rugby side, our Owain Glyndwr pub in Cardiff had an all-time record day, thanks to the Irish, and on Mother's Day trade was very strong across our restaurant sector."

Chris Bulaitis, managing director of Ever So Sensible Bars, which runs seven pubs, said: "At one of our Nottingham sites, the one with the biggest outdoor area, trade was up 58% on the same period last year."

He added that overall sales were up 20% in February and March compared to 2008. He said the success was down to "keeping our business focused on our core customers and on the quality and stability of our offer. Having a positive smiley face also helps."

Dave Daly, licensee at the Castle in Blackpool said last week was "fantastic".

"We saw a 15% pick-up in trade on the same period last year — which was Easter week. The recession hasn't hit us in Blackpool, and with the sun shining, the euro and our Irish visitors, all bodes well," he said.

Continuing the positive theme, Steve Haslam — who runs two pubs in Cambridgeshire — said: "We'd been monitoring the weather and decided to splash out £25,000 on garden furniture at our new pub the White Horse.

"It converted to the best week we've had at the White Horse since it opened.

"We served 700 for lunch on Mother's Day, and ended up taking over £40,000 over the weekend at both sites."

He also bought a marquee and put it up on Saturday in case of rain. "We had enquiries about five wedding receptions, two christenings and a birthday party. That was £1,000 well spent."