Overview

• Revenue rose 4.8% to £376.3 million in the 52 weeks to March 29 with like-for-like sales up 5.2%.
• Adjusted profit before tax surged 32% to £27 million, prompting an 11% dividend increase to 19.76 pence.
• The group invested £28 million in estate upgrades and paid £22.5 million for seven Lovely Pubs outlets in Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
• National insurance hikes alone added £3 million to costs and total extra staff expenses climbed to about £8 million, which the company countered with targeted price rises.
• Chief executive Simon Emeny will become the first non-family executive chair at the July 22 AGM as Michael Turner retires.