Pubs booming as 38C heatwaves and England’s World Cup heroics pack out beer gardens
Pub giant Young’s has toasted a bumper trading spell, with takings spiking by almost 10% since the end of March
England fans partied into the night after the win over Mexico(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)
Britain’s boozers are booming as a sizzling summer of scorchio weather and sporting glory packs out beer gardens with thirsty punters.
It comes as the UK basks in its third heatwave of the year, with the mercury soaring across southern and eastern England. Pub giant Young’s has toasted a bumper trading spell, with takings spiking by almost 10% since the end of March as weeks of glorious sunshine lured folk outdoors and straight to the bar.
Bosses hailed an “exceptional” late May bank holiday supercharged by the heat. It sent trade through the roof, especially at locals blessed with beer gardens or a spot by the water.
England’s rip-roaring World Cup run and Wimbledon have kept the pints flowing, drawing in droves of football and tennis fans. Extended opening hours have also given locals a major cash boost.
Brits sank a staggering six million pints during England’s last-16 nail-biter against Mexico alone – 1.25 million more than your average Sunday night, according to British Beer and Pub Association data.
Pubs were able to stay open until 5am on Monday morning and Thea Barratt, runs Cramptons Sports Bar in Broadstairs, Kent, said fans were queuing out of the door for a spot to see the game. She said: “I took more money than I did on New Year’s Eve.”
After taking special measures, including installing new portaloos and building an outside bar, she says she expects to top those takings if England make it all the way to the final. She added: “Long may they continue.”
Young’s chief Simon Dodd said the group’s pubs were “performing strongly”, crediting “favourable weather” and “a busy summer of sport” for the roaring trade.
He added: “While the backdrop remains challenging, we are well-positioned and looking ahead to the rest of the year with confidence.”
May served up the UK’s hottest day of that month ever recorded, at nearly 35C. June then obliterated its own all-time record, smashing past 37C and triggering a rare Met Office red heat warning.
It’s a much-needed tonic for pubs battered by years of soaring energy bills, spiralling wages and a hike in National Insurance costs.
Fuller’s boss recently hit out at “government interference, additional taxes and regulations”.
It warned cost rises will “come with consequences” including pub closures and job losses.
