According to recent data from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), pubs were predicted to experience multi-million pound profits last weekend due to the heatwave.
Recent insights from the association revealed, trade could have experienced an expected 19% uplift in sales over the two day period.
BBPA director of strategy and policy Andrew Tighe said: “Nothing says summer more than a pint in your local beer garden and many Brits will be raising a glass to some much-needed warm weather."
Reaching capacity
Owner and brewer at the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, George Greenaway also commented on trade sales over the weekend period, touching on how customer engagement fared during previous times of year. He stated: “The incredibly warm start to August and this weekend has really put our systems and team to the test. We reached capacity at several times and drafted in extra staff to cope with demand.”
Touching on dress code and the wellbeing of staff members, he added: “Uniform restrictions were loosened and staff were encouraged to take extra hydration and comfort breaks.” Addressing financial progress he stated: “The Tap experienced one of its busiest ever days, financially, over the weekend, but the team endured.”
Recent data from Oxford Partnership revealed, beer and cider volumes increased by 5.2% on Sunday 11 August with the average pub selling 269 pints of draught beer and cider. A comparative 13 more pints against to the previous date.
According to Oxford Partnership chief operating officer, Margot West, throughout Saturday 10 August, total beer and cider volumes were up 10.7% with the average pub selling 411 pints of draught beer and cider – 40 more than the previous Saturday.
Frozen drinks sales
Operator of the Red Lion and Sun in Highgate, north London Heath Ball also shared his thoughts on the state of trade: “We noticed that the weekend lunches were quieter than usual."
Emphasising customer engagement with specific beverages, he said: “Interestingly, we experienced an incredible surge in frozen Margarita sales for takeaway on Saturday.”
Highlighting progress within dinner sales, Ball added: “On a brighter note, the evenings saw a remarkable bounce back, with dinner sales performing stronger than normal.”
According to Oxford Partnership, total ale sales rose by 8.7%, over the weekend with stout up by 12.6% and core lager seeing a 5.7% increase.
Operator of the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell, Suffolk Brendan Padfield also commented on trade success. He said: “ We are not normally a fair weather destination however, the fact that we were so busy this weekend is probably an indication it was just a little too hot for most with so many of our customers electing to eat inside (where it was much cooler) rather than in the garden or on the decking, despite the shade provided.”
