The hospitality business, which is headquartered in Brewery Road, Wolverhampton, has indicated profits are on track with encouraging momentum for the second half of the year in its update issued today for the 41-week period to July 12.
The company, which has an estate comprising more than 1,300 pubs, reported like for like sales for the 15-week period to July 12 rose 2.9 per cent and delivered against a strong 2024 which included the Euro Championships. Excluding the impact of England matchdays in 2024 like for like sales were 4 per cent higher.
Sales have also improved in the first half of 2025 and now stand at 2 per cent higher this year to date.
The roll out of different pub formats is progressing ahead of schedule and showing encouraging early results with 26 pubs now refurbished and trading under new brand formats including 21 Two Door and five Grandstand sites.
A further five Woodie’s Family Pubs are due to open before the end of July, putting the group on track to exceed its target of 30 new-format refurbishments before the end of the year.
Justin Platt, CEO of Marston’s PLC, said: “We’re excited about the momentum we’re building throughout the business, with our performance enhanced by a strong pipeline of demand-driving events, continued growth from Order & Pay and our ongoing revenue management initiatives.
“We’ve made excellent progress against our strategic priorities so far this year, delivering improved margin performance, strong cash generation and the roll-out of our new pub formats.
“This momentum and our disciplined execution across the business gives us great confidence for the future, and we remain firmly on-track to deliver on full-year market expectations.”
Strong trading is anticipated in the final quarter of 2025 with the continued roll out of Order & Pay and other initiatives and management have said they are confident of delivering a full year of profit before tax in line with market expectations.
The trading report adds that capital expenditure is expected to total around £60 million, in line with guidance, following investment in estate development, digital transformation and bolstering the guest experience, with strong progress reported towards the business’s goal of generating recurring free cash flow of more than £50 million in the near to medium term.
