Marston’s pubs earnings pushed to pre-pandemic levels by World Cup

The company, which is pushing through price rises of up to 10% as its own costs soar, said that trading at its pubs since the start of October is up 6.8%. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

World Cup fever has boosted drinks sales at Marston’s pubs by 50% as the chain looks forward to a bumper festive season with Christmas bookings running ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

The group, which runs 1,468 pubs across the UK, said that the combination of the World Cup and the first Christmas free of pandemic restrictions in three years has fuelled a revival for the embattled hospitality sector.