12th Mar 2020 14:21
(Alliance News) - Pub operator JD Wetherspoon PLC on Thursday said its sales in the early part of 2020 have been hurt more by bad weather than the killer virus.
Wetherspoon said that in the six weeks to March 8, like-for-like sales were 3.2% higher, with total sales climbing 2.9%.
Storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge swept the UK last month, leading to widespread flooding during the country's wettest February on record.
The company said: "In the period, we estimate that sales have been more adversely affected by poor weather than by the health scare.
"As of today, and the situation might change, we are not aware that any of our 43,000 staff has tested positive for Covid-19."
The FTSE 250 firm, which issued the impromptu trading statement in response to "unusually high media and shareholder enquiries" left its guidance for the current financial year unchanged.
It will release interim results, for the six months ending January 26, on March 20.
Shares in the company were down 11% at 1,047.00 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon.
By Eric Cunha; [email protected]
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