Falling income from older customers is not just a football problem
Ok, some good points.
I wonder how many of the so called isolate elders there actually are? The senior citizens around me are all back and in fine voice.
Be good to see a 3k plus.
Equally, I know a lot that have not returned. It's not just the ever present danger of Covid, or indeed league form or prices. As people get older, standing on a cold terrace does become less attractive to them. That's only natural. Also, although I'm sure that seeing a League team at the Walks is an obvious attraction to many, the bigger crowds and the "hassle factor" that can bring with it also makes it less appealing to others.
I think the gate will be around the 3k though.
Wetherspoons sales drain as older drinkers reluctant to return to the pub
Founder Tim Martin warned that hard trading conditions were unlikely to improve until spring next year.
“With no music in Wetherspoon pubs, a material proportion of our trade comes from older customers, some of whom have visited pubs less frequently in recent times," said Mr Martin, who was vocal in his call to end lockdowns.
“There have been no outbreaks of Covid-19 among customers in Wetherspoon pubs.
“However, some customers have been understandably cautious."
He said the chain’s sales were “to some extent” now reliant on the pandemic receding and admitted that booster vaccinations and warmer spring weather would ease pressure on the horizon.
Overall like-for-like sales were down by 8.9pc during the 15 weeks to November 7 compared to the same period last year.
The pub chain, which also owns Lloyds No 1, blamed a lack of older customers for a 20pc fall in sales of stouts and 30pc drop in traditional ales.
In some relief, the FTSE 250 firm said sales of drinks favoured by younger customers had surged, with cocktails up 45pc, rum up 26pc and vodka up 17pc.
Mr Martin said: "As in previous downturns, the company will continue to concentrate on providing high standards of service, reasonable prices and regular, small upgrades to the business." Wetherspoon's reported no widespread issues with recruitment and said supply chain issues have eased in recent weeks.
Like the wider hospitality industry, Wetherspoons was battered by pandemic lockdown restrictions that forced it to close with trading even squeezed for months after curbs were eased due to social distancing rules.
But the pub chain's warning that older customers are still keeping away will underline fears that footfall in high streets has taken a permanent blow from coronavirus which led to more cooking and drinking at home.
Paul Ruddy, an analyst at Goodbody, said: “Although early in the year, the commentary around the impact of older customers will cause some concern on near term forecasts.”
