Belhaven beats 'challenging' market conditions with a strong sales boost

DUNBAR-BASED pub group Belhaven has overcome market gloom with a strong increase in sales, despite "challenging" conditions.

In the 16 weeks to August 24, the East Lothian-based firm saw like-for-like sales increase by 4.6 per cent in its managed pub estate, which includes Edinburgh pubs Albanach, Black Bull, Pivo and World's End.

It comes after it was revealed that Belhaven's flagship product Belhaven Best is now the fifth best-selling on-trade alcohol brand in Scotland.

Despite the strength of its Scottish arm, Belhaven owner Greene King said today that overall market conditions remain more challenging due to weakening consumer confidence.

In the first 16 weeks of its year, like for like sales in Greene King Retail fell 1.6 per cent. Larger, food-led sites continued to perform strongly, while smaller community pubs, which sell mainly drinks, are being more adversely affected by market conditions.