Hopes for bank holiday sales boost

According to data from Oxford Partnership, the first May bank holiday in 2023 saw drinkers consume 54.1m pints of draught beer and cider across the UK, up 8.5% against 2022, despite poor weather.

This equated to an extra 112 pints sold, and £504 in revenue, per pub compared with the same period the previous year.

In addition, sales across the entire bank holiday weekend last year were up 4% on 2019 levels.

Income generator 

Saturday was the biggest day of the weekend for sales in 2023, with each pub selling an average of 449 pints of draught beer and cider.

Meanwhile, across the entire weekend, the average pub served 1,430 pints of draught beer and cider, helped by a little bit of sunshine here and there, and these sales equated to a £6,435 income generator.

With a better weather forecast than 2023, the sector can hope for some pub garden action and a similar uptick in sales this bank holiday, the data insight firm stated.

Furthermore, this year’s bank holiday weekend coincides with a variety of sporting events, including championship football, Rugby league and Formula 1.

Boost in sales

While drinks sales were down three out of past four weeks according to the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker​ from CGA by NIQ, previous trackers showed occasion led visits​ to the on-trade helped push drinks sales.

Moreover, previous data from Oxford Partnership found volumes were up 2.4%​ in the four week period ending 31 March, boosted by Easter trade and sporting events​.

Oxford Partnership managing partner Henry Powell said: “The first May bank holiday looks like it will see mixed weather, but history tells us people like to mark the occasion with a visit to the pub.

“Throw in some decent sporting fixtures and the trade should still expect to see a boost in sales across the weekend.”