FULLER SMITH & TURNER PLC - AGM Trading Statement

23 July 2015

FULLER, SMITH & TURNER P.L.C.

AGM Trading Statement

16 weeks to 18 July 2015

 

Strong start to the Year

Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. (“Fuller’s” or “the Company”), the London brewer and premium pub company, today made the following Trading Statement for the 16 weeks from 29 March to 18 July 2015 (“the period”), in advance of the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held on 23 July 2015 at 11am, in the Hock Cellar, Griffin Brewery, Chiswick, London W4 2QB.

The business has made a strong start to the new financial year, with like for like sales in Managed Pubs and Hotels rising by 5.7% for the period and like for like profits in the Tenanted Division growing by 4%. Total beer and cider volumes in the Fuller’s Beer Company are level. 

Since the year end, the Company has purchased a freehold pub in Earl’s Court Village, The King’s Head, opened The Stable in Plymouth and Winchester and carried out a successful relocation of The Stable in Bath. In addition, the freeholds of two existing leasehold sites have been purchased – The Blackbird in Earl’s Court, which has been a Fuller’s pub for over 20 years, and The Stable in Poole.

Simon Emeny, Chief Executive, commented: “The new financial year has started well and we are in robust health. We have exciting plans for the coming months with new openings for Fuller’s Inns and The Stable, as well as a continuation of our substantial programme of investment in our existing estate. In addition, the Rugby World Cup in the autumn – much of which takes place in our West London heartland – provides a focal point for some exciting activity and we are well placed to maximise its potential.”

The next report will be on 20 November 2015, when the Company issues its half year results for the 26 weeks to 26 September 2015.

- Ends –

For further information, please contact:

Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive (press)                      020 8996 2175
James Douglas, Finance Director (analysts)                020 8996 2000
Georgina Wald, Corporate Communications Manager    020 8996 2198/07831 299801

Instinctif Partners
Paul Downes                                             07900 244888
Justine Warren                                          07785 555692

Notes to Editors:

Fuller, Smith and Turner P.L.C. is an independent traditional family brewer founded in 1845 and is based at the historic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, where brewing has taken place continuously since 1654. The Company runs 188 Managed Pubs and Hotels and 203 Tenanted pubs, with a focus on outstanding cask ale, great wine, exemplary service and delicious fresh, home-cooked food. The Company also has 651 boutique bedrooms in its Managed estate and owns a 51% share of The Stable, a craft cider and pizza restaurant business with nine sites.  Fuller’s pub estate stretches from Brighton to Birmingham and from Portishead to the Greenwich Peninsula, including 171 locations within the M25.

The Fuller’s Beer Company brews a portfolio of premium beers including London Pride, ESB, Organic Honey Dew and Frontier Craft Lager. In June 2013, the Company acquired Cornish Orchards, a craft cider maker producing a range of award-winning ciders and premium soft drinks. Fuller’s is also the UK distributor for Sierra Nevada, the premier US craft beer.

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