Pub chain JD Wetherspoon enjoyed a 5.1 per cent boost in sales during the World Cup and Easter period, despite refusing to turn on the sound for any of the tournament's matches.
Wetherspoon, which had lifted its ban on televisions for the World Cup, nevertheless enjoyed a sales bump in line with other pub chains which lifted its year-to-date sales by two per cent.
Today's results, which cover the first 12 weeks of the company's final quarter, also include the Easter period, which was delayed this year.
"Based on the current strong sales performance, the company currently expects the outcome for the year to July 30th to be towards the top end of market expectations," Wetherspoon said.
Concern over the effect of the smoking ban on trading in Scotland does not appear to have had any negative impact. Wetherspoon reported a "positive start" in April with an improvement of 3.2 per cent in sales, although the following 12 weeks saw a stabilisation with an overall decline of 0.3 per cent.
Although this compares unfavourably with the overall 5.1 per cent increase, Wetherspoon remains convinced that demand remains high. To celebrate the sweltering summer heat, it plans to open an additional nine new pubs before the end of its financial year.
Responding to today's announcement, shares in the group rose by 1.43 per cent on early morning trading.
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