Initial Pub Trade Figures Stand Robust in Wake of London Bombings

-Chilly Weather Has a Greater Capacity to Affect Our Habits Than Terrorists

Oxford, 15 August 2005:  Since the tragic bombings in London on July 7th there have been many reports regarding a downturn in business for the pub trade in London. However, latest data from ACNielsen suggests otherwise.

The ACNielsen Pubtrack service records sales in managed pubs and latest figures, which cover the period up to the 23rd July – so this includes the weeks immediately after the 7/7 atrocities and the weekend after the failed attempts on the 21st - show that Londoners have not been put off favourite British recreation, pub drinking.

Average weekly sales in managed pubs and bars in London for the year so far stands at around £32.8million. In the weeks of the bombings sales stood at £32.5 million and £33.9million. Andy Carrington, Marketing Director at ACNielsen explained, “Figures show there was a drop in sales during the week of the 7th July however sales here were actually better than the equivalent week last year (which was £32.2million) and the drop is no more dramatic than other peaks and troughs seen in 2005.” He added, “As testament to the ‘stoic resolve’ Londoners talked of having after 7/7 – the week following the first bombings achieved the second highest sales peak of the year.” Here sales jumped to £35.6 million, 8 percent higher than the average weekly figure for 2005. (See Chart 1 & Table 1)

Sales also dropped in week ending 23rd July – but again this was comparable to the same time last year. This decline – along with the decline following the 7/7 bombs correlates directly with a drop in average temperatures. “It seems the weather, the other great national passion, has a greater capacity to affect British habits than these terrorists do.” Observed Carrington.

The figures look at the London region so some very central establishments may have been affected more than average, however amidst reports that tube passenger numbers have slipped by up to 30%, anecdotal evidence suggests that people have been eating out and going for drinks after work so as to avoid using public transport during the rush hour. Furthermore, as people are traveling over-ground more, pubs are benefiting from additional passing trade.

Carrington concluded, “Taking these factors into consideration, the buoyant London pub trade sales figures provides evidence to suggest that Londoners are indeed carrying on with their normal pub habits and presumably, their everyday lives.”

Table 1. Sales (excluding Wine & Bar Snacks) in Managed Pubs in London June/July 2005 v 2004

Source: ACNielsen Pubtrack