Cheers all round at Marston's as food demand drives profits up

Updated: 17:45 EDT, 2 December 2010

Pubs operator Marston's bucked the gloom enveloping British bar rooms with a near 5 per cent profits rise.

The group, which runs around 2,000 hostelries across the UK including the Pitcher & Piano chain, saw earnings jump to £73.5million in the 12 months to October after tucking into the gastro-pub boom.

Luring in foodies has become increasingly important for pubs in the wake of the smoking ban, and meals now account for some 40 per cent of turnover at Marston's (up 6p to 106.5p).

Up: Sales of Marston's-brewed beer, which includes premium ale Pedigree, rose 4.5 in the period

Its 489 managed pubs sold 24million meals during the year, a 5 per cent rise on the previous year, with sales of drinks up just 1.4 per cent.

The Wolverhampton-based company has also been building its brewing arm, with sales of its own-brewed beers, which includes Pedigree, Hobgoblin and Brakspear, rising 4.5 per cent.