4 fleurets.com Graeme Bunn Managing Director A kick of caffeine The performance of JD Wetherspoon, Stonegate and the vast majority of traditional tied pub tenants across the country should not go unnoticed. Much like 1976, 2018 will live long in the memory and be referred to over the years and decades ahead during weather forecasts and climate change documentaries. Although the trading performance of wet-focussed pub operators may not last quite so long in people’s memories, the performance of JD Wetherspoon, Stonegate and the vast majority of traditional tied pub tenants across the country should not go unrecognised. JD Wetherspoon delivered 5.5% like-for-like sales growth (LfL) over the 13 weeks to 28th October, whilst Stonegate delivered 4.6% LfL over the 40 weeks to 1st July. Similarly, Ei Group reported net income growth of 1.3% over the 47 weeks to 25th August, it being quite clear that the warm weather drove us all to quench our thirst in pub beer gardens across the country. The warm weather coincided with the FIFA Football World Cup which provided a trading bonanza for sports focussed venues. Stonegate achieved LfL growth of 19.2% during the World Cup, with 4.5 million pints sold during the tournament. Personally, I am not sure that England’s achievements at the World Cup were that notable, a record of played 7, won 3, lost 3, drew 1, would only amount to mid-table obscurity, but that debate is for another day. It is clear that all wet-led pub operators should give Gareth Southgate one on the house should he pop in! Whilst the executives of the wet-focussed pub operators have been collectively patting themselves on the back, their counterparts over in the casual dining sector will have been fervently playing with their worry beads and asking whether 2018 can get any worse. The last thing that the likes of Prezzo and Carluccio’s would have wanted is a record breaking summer. Fleurets On Market Published by Fleurets Ltd 4 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JX Enquiries: Lizzie Hawes - PR and Marketing Manager T: 020 7280 4745 E: lizzie.hawes@fleurets.com W: fleurets.com/onmarket Leisure Property Specialists