Summer 2020 trading earned £2m for Brighton Pier Group

Brighton Pier Group (the Group) earned approximately £2m through summer trading in 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic and subsequent restrictions. 

Covid-19 meant the hospitality sector was subject to mandatory trading restrictions that had a devastating impact on the industry, also affecting the travel, entertainment and leisure sectors. However, regardless of this, the outlook for the Group remains positive, armed with strong financial results for the 52 weeks leading up to 27 June 2021. 

Whilst late-night bars were almost entirely closed for this period, the Pier and Golf divisions were able to reopen for trade during the key summer months of July to September last year. The Pier benefitted from the Group’s significant investment in its food and drink facilities during 2017. This £1.3m investment significantly increased outdoor seating capacity and enabled visitors to remain safely distanced. 

The Group also benefitted from targeted government support with furlough, rates relief, VAT reductions and the ‘Eat out to Help out’ scheme. With the backing of its bank and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) scheme, the Group raised £5m of additional debt. 

With the easing of restrictions this summer, the Group’s diversified offering meant it could capitalise on pent up demand for leisure experiences. With the Pier and Golf divisions both open and bars finally open for 10 weeks, total sales for the 13-week period to the end of September 2021were £15.9m – 145% over the same period in 2020, and 44% ahead of the same (pre-Covid) period in 2019 (or 30% ahead of 2019 if benefit from the temporary VAT concession is excluded).

This strong summer 2021 trading performance, coupled with the benefits from VAT and rates relief, suggests that this year could present an opportunity for the Group to recover some of its lost earnings if it can continue trading without further restrictions.

Commenting on the results, the Group's CEO Anne Ackford said: “The past 18 months have, at times, been very difficult for our industry. The results we present here are testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams across all divisions and at all levels of the Group, so firstly I would like to thank our staff who contributed in so many ways to these results. I must also thank our suppliers and our landlords for their sensible and supportive approach."

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