Marston’s has said the impact of coronavirus hit sales by £40m. Announcing its interim results, it said sales for the 26 weeks to 28 March dropped to £510.5m compared to £553.1m the year before. Pre-tax profits also dived from £34.2m to £9.4m. However, although it acknowledged that under the circumstance its “initial revenue and earnings profile” was uncertain it was upbeat in its outlook, saying it had “plans in place for pubs to reopen from 4 July, its JV with Carlsberg “significantly” strengthened its balance sheet and of its predominantly freehold pub estate, located outside city centres, 90% has outside space.