Draught volumes climb in pubs as autumn trading broadens across locations
Average rate of sale rose 3% compared with September 2025, with the uptick attributed to unusually warm weather, as well as Premier League and Champions League football and university Freshers’ Week. Despite a slight fall in operating venues to 99,297, people spent more time in pubs and bars, with average occupancy at 66.1%, up 4.2 percentage points year on year, and dwell time extending to 154 minutes. Growth was recorded across all location types, with suburban venues leading at 3.2%, followed by rural (2.7%), city (2.3%) and London pubs (2%). Average spend per head rose 3.5% to £26.97, driven by a 5% increase in food spend to £32.54 and drink spend up 1.5% to £21.12. On a Moving Annual Total basis, stout (5.9%) and cider (5.8%) were the strongest performers, world lager up 4.8%, while craft returned to growth at 0.7%. Core lager fell 3.9% and ale declined 3.6%, with total-market rate of sale 0.4% ahead on MAT basis. Oxford Partnership chief executive Alison Jordan said September’s performance is encouraging because draught volumes are growing alongside higher occupancy, longer visits and increased spending, and growth is no longer confined to particular locations or major sporting occasions. Every location type recorded improvement, suggesting underlying demand is strengthening as the final quarter begins, though momentum may be hard to sustain as temperatures fall and indoor trading becomes more important during the festive period. Source: The Morning Advertiser
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