Poor weather disrupts a crucial weekend for venues

Average sales in managed venues in the week to Saturday 24 October were 5.8% down from the same period in 2025, as Storms Austen and Boelo rolled into the country in quick succession. They coincided with the key weekend period for the On-Premise, and daily sales tumbled by 11.0% and 14.2% on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October as many people were forced to stay at home rather than go out. 

The disappointing weekend was followed by a broadly flat period for drinks sales, which dropped 1.5% year-on-year in the week to Saturday 31 October. The week started well, with growth on four of the first five days, but trading then slipped by 7.6% and 1.8% on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October respectively.  

This was despite a boost in footfall from Halloween, which fell on a Friday in 2025 and a Saturday in 2026. It suggests an increasing number of people may be choosing to mark Halloween at home instead of in pubs and bars. Footfall was also again held back by wet weather in some parts of the country. 

The latest figures complete a modest October for the On-Premise, with sales down year-on-year in three of the four full weeks of the month. 

October revenue was partly constrained by a very tough market for spirits. Sales in the category fell by 20.1% and 16.9% in the weeks to 24 and 31 October, despite the Halloween lift. Wine (down 6.9% and 3.4%) also had a negative fortnight. 

It was a slightly brighter picture in the Long Alcoholic Drinks segment. Beer and cider sales dropped by 3.0% and 2.5% in the third week of October, but they recovered well in the last seven days of the month, rising by 2.9% and 3.9% respectively. 

Rachel Weller, NIQ’s commercial lead, UK & Ireland, said: “The first stormy weather of the season was badly timed for the On-Premise and held back what should have been a good weekend of trading. It’s also disappointing that Halloween didn’t give sales a bigger bounce, and numbers in the spirits category are particularly concerning. Nevertheless, consumers remain eager to eat and drink out when they can afford to do so, and we can be optimistic that the start of Christmas celebrations will loosen their spending. November and December are going to be a critical two months for operators and suppliers.”