Oakman Inns sees 6.8% sales growth

Pub chain Oakman Inns has reported a 6.8% growth in like-for-like sales, with the group recording a total growth of 22.2% for the year.

Growth has continued into the new financial year as the pub chain saw it up 5.2% over the first seven weeks.

Oakman Inns CEO Peter Borg-Neal, said the figures showed the company had “substantially overperformed against their investment target” attributing the growth to “excellent performance from new sites and major developments”.

Borg-Neal said: “We believe that this year, Oakman can grow its sales to exceed £37m. This sales increase will derive from the existing portfolio and three main areas of business growth.

“Firstly, the gradual accumulation of quality sites for the core Oakman Inns business with a preference for freeholds. Secondly, an increased focus on developing and growing the Beech House brand in leasehold sites and finally the operation of management contracts for premium pubs and hotels owned by others.

“We are still disturbed by the government’s inflexibility on the matter of business rates, the on-going disparities of VAT and the inept mismanagement and financial impact of the government apprentice scheme.

“We do, however, welcome the government’s eventual support for our campaign to ban straws and our aspiration to ban the consumption of single-use plastics throughout Oakman Inns. These little differences, if made by every company, will help make a world of difference.”