Coffer Peach: Trading at 60% of pre-covid levels

Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups that reopened in the first week post-lockdown saw trading up from reopening weekend, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Collective like for like sales for the week were down 39.8% on the same week last year, compared to weekend sales which were 44.5% below pre-coronavirus norms.

However, the discrepancy in sales will be partially down to the fact that the number of open operators grew through the week.

On Monday 6 July, 55% of group-operated sites had reopened for inside dining, up from 36% on reopening weekend (4-5 July).

Broken down by operator type, 70% of pubs traded last week, compared to just 17% of restaurants and 42% of bars.

Pubs saw sales 39.3% down on the same period last year, bars were down 42.9%, and restaurants 40%.

“Trading at almost 60% of pre-covid norms is actually a better performance than many other markets internationally, such as the US, experienced on reopening,” said CGA director Karl Chessell.

“The sector still has a long way to go, but this sets the benchmark against which the speed of recovery will be judged.”

In all, 44 companies provided date to the tracker, which is produced by CGA, The Coffer Group and RSM.