REG - Marston's Plc - Trading update for the 17 weeks to 24 January 2026

MarstonsAnnouncement

28/01/2026 07:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20260128:nRSb6240Qa&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 6240Q  Marston's PLC  28 January 2026

 

 

 

28 January 2026

MARSTON'S PLC

("Marston's" or "the Group")

 

STRONG PERFORMANCE OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD, CONFIDENT IN DELIVERING FY2026
MARKET EXPECTATIONS

Marston's, a leading UK hospitality business with an estate of more than 1,300
pubs, today announces a trading update for the 17-week period to 24 January
2026 ahead of the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held at 10:00am
today. All sales comparisons are to the same period in FY2025.

Business Update

 * Strong trading performance over the festive period where like-for-like sales
increased by 4.0%, with growth of 5.6% across the five key festive dates(1),
reinforcing the strength of Marston's community-based estate during peak
trading occasions.

 * Like-for-like sales for the 17 weeks have remained resilient, with performance
tracking in line with the prior year and continuing to outpace the total
market.(2)

 * Pub format roll-out continues to accelerate, with 23 launches completed in Q1.
New format sites continue to outperform, supporting the Group's plan to
complete more than 50 in FY2026.

 * Execution of the Group's market-leading pub operating model is driving further
margin improvement this year, underpinned by disciplined cost control and
ongoing efficiency initiatives.

 * A strong programme of demand-driving events, including the return of Luke
Humphries' Cool Hand Cup and Trivial Pursuit: Win a Wedge, new initiatives
including a partnership centred on Matilda, one of Roald Dahl's most loved
characters, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup - which represents a significant
summer trading opportunity - provide further confidence in FY2026 delivery.

 * The Board remains confident in delivering full-year consensus expectations³
and that the Group is firmly on track to deliver against the targets set out
at the October 2024 Capital Markets Day, including shareholder returns.

 

1 - Festive period covers the period from 21 December 2025 to 3 January 2026.
Key festive trading days include Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New
Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

2 - Like-for-like sales means sales for the Group's managed and partnership
pubs, including food, drink, accommodation and gaming machine income,
considered on a daily basis where the pub was trading in both the current and
prior period.

3 - Company-compiled market forecasts for FY2026 underlying profit before tax
of £78.7 million, with a range from £76.1 million to £83.0 million.

 

Justin Platt, CEO of Marston's PLC, commented:

 

"Our pubs have delivered another strong start to the year, with standout
performances across our key festive trading dates including setting a new
record for Christmas Day - a clear reflection of the strength of our community
pubs and the passion and energy our teams bring to every service.
Like‑for‑like sales have remained resilient and, with 23 new pub format
launches completed already in the first quarter, our accelerated rollout
programme is driving further trading momentum and enhancing the guest
experience.

"Supported by a clear strategy, disciplined cost control and a strong
programme of demand-driving events, we are excited for the opportunities ahead
and remain confident in delivering market expectations for the full year."

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Investors

 

Marston's PLC

Justin Platt,
CEO
Tel: 01902 907250

Stephen Hopson,
CFO

Matthew Lee, Investor
Relations
matthew.lee@marstons.co.uk

 

Media

 

Marston's PLC

Giles Robinson, Director of Corporate Affairs
 giles.robinson@marstons.co.uk

 

Sodali & Co

Ben Foster
                               Tel: 020 7250 1446

Russ Lynch
                              marstons@sodali.com

 

Notes to Editors

Marston's PLC, listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker MARS, is a
leading UK hospitality business with an estate of more than 1,300 pubs
nationally, comprising managed, partnership ('franchised') and tenanted and
leased pubs. Marston's employs around 9,000 people. More information is
available at https://www.marstonspubs.co.uk/.

 

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  TSTSEUFAWEMSEDF



            Copyright 2019 Regulatory News Service, all rights reserved