Marston's blames new year beer slump on the weatherman

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The brewer behind Pedigree bitter and operator of more than 2,000 pubs said that while Christmas was good, January trading slipped because rain and snow kept drinkers at home.

In a trading update for the 16 weeks to 23 January, Marston's said sales at the pubs it manages itself were up 1.5 per cent, a slower rate of growth than the company has recently been boasting.

But for January sales fell nearly six per cent, "a consequence of two weeks of poor weather". Sales at pubs run by tenants on leases tumbled 4.9 per cent over the 16 weeks.

That has put a dent in the company's F-Plan strategy, which sees it focus on "food, families, females and forty/fifty somethings". Food sales now account for 38 per cent of Marston's revenues, up from 27 per cent in 2004.

Marston's raised £165.5 million in a rights issue in July and aims to use this to build 60 new pubs over the next three years. In a statement, it said: "The outlook for the UK economy remains uncertain. We are nevertheless encouraged by the progress made to date."

Astaire Securities says the group is "financially secure" and rates the shares a buy.