Brewpub chain sees sales lift after phased reopening of sites

A national brewpub group has announced that its sales were nearly 3 per cent above last year during the first week of trading after lockdown.

Brewhouse & Kitchen, which is based in London and has 22 sites across the country, has reported 2.9% like for like sales growth in its first week trading post-pandemic measures.

The company has used a phased method of return, one that has seen one site opening every weekday since last week, followed by two sites per day this week.

Brewhouse & Kitchen has also decided to introduce a new order and payment platform, “B&K On Tap”, an online solution allowing guests to order and pay from their mobile devices.

Kris Gumbrell, CEO of Brewhouse & Kitchen, commented: “We are so incredibly proud of our teams across the country, working extremely hard to overcome the difficulties caused by Coronavirus, operators will not be given a second chance to make a first impression in this market.

“We know from our guest research that we needed to open well and create a positive but safe environment, our staggered, intensive approach to reopening our sites, adopting further online efficiency and new technologies, has allowed us to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our team and guests.

“The initiatives that have been hard fought for by our trade bodies are extremely welcome, we have been focused on building early week trading -the company will be working hard to drive Eat Out to Help Out.”