More than £8bn of pub sales have transacted in 2019, according to Colliers International.
The agent said that increased visits to pubs had created a buoyant market. The latest ONS figures show that the number of pubs has increased for the first time in 10 years. This is set to be boosted further by trading over Christmas.
James Shorthouse, head of alternative markets at Colliers International, said: “A combination of continued wage growth and a belief that some form of political stability has been restored following the recent election result and Brexit confirmation are likely to support our predictions that pubs throughout the UK are set to thrive over the festive season. In addition, the mid-week timing of Christmas will give additional peak trading days over the festive period.”
He added: “Operators are already commenting that Christmas dining bookings are going well and indeed, many customers will visit them to eat their festive lunch. The pub remains a feature of British social life, and no doubt many customers will be raising an extra glass now that the uncertainty of Brexit is closer to being resolved.”
The largest pub deal this year was Hong Kong-based CKA Group’s £4.6bn acquisition of Greene King in August. Stonegate Pub, which owns the Slug and Lettuce chain, also announced in July 2019 that it was buying rival Ei Group for £2.9bn. That purchase is currently being considered by the Competition & Markets Authority.
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