Today’s news in brief – 10/06/24

St Austell Brewery has reported a “record” year where total revenues rose 10% to £229.5m. This comes as the group’s total operating profits for the financial period reached £13.2m, showing a rise of 15% on the previous year. During 2023, St Austell saw inflation reduce from the peak of the previous year, despite cost challenges in the sector persisting. 

Drinks sales fell 1% in the week ended 1 June after a 3% drop in the prior week, according to CGA data. These negative weeks followed two weeks of growth in May, with a 13% increase in the first week of the month and a 0.3% increase in the second week. Sales were tempered by mixed weather across Britain, with temperatures notably lower than the equivalent week in May 2023. 

Greggs has entered into a lease agreement for a new production and logistics facility in Derby. Greggs’ strategic growth plan, announced in 2021, set out ambitious expansion targets requiring investment in significant supply chain capacity. The longer-term target is to have significantly more than 3,000 shops trading in the UK.

Grove and Narberth has appointed James Greatorex as the new head chef. Greatorex joins executive chef Douglas Balish’s team to take on the key head chef position, and supports Balish in the delivery of the food operation across the hotel. Prior to joining Grove, James was head chef at 3 AA Rosette restaurant L’Ortolan, in Reading.