Fuller's full of confidence after strong Christmas as Mitchells & Butlers struggles

London pubs group Fuller’s outstripped its national rival Mitchells & Butlers over Christmas trading reports from both have revealed.

Fuller’s said sales from pubs which have been open at least a year rose by more than 5% during December while M&B said sales for the nine weeks to last Saturday were down 0.6%.

In the 43 weeks to Saturday Fuller’s managed pubs and hotels sales rose by 5.3%.

Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s, said: “It was another very strong Christmas for us with Christmas Day sales up by double digits for the thitrd year running. The only time that was a bit subdued was immediately after the attacks in Paris.”

M&B’s like-for-like sales in the last 17 weeks were down by 1% with food sales down by 1.5% and drink sales by 0.6% both of which were can improvement on the start of the financial year.

Phil Urban, chief executive, said: “We had a good Christmas. Trading conditions remain tough particularly as we go into the post-holiday season.”

Analysts suggested that the sales decline since Christmas could be as much as 2%.

Fuller’s Emeny said he had closed more pubs than ever for refurbishment this January.

He said: “It makes sense to do it in our quietest month. Eight are shut for anyhting from two to six weeks and will re-open with expanded kitchens and improved beer gardens all in time for half-term.”