Revolution Bars to close venues on Mondays and Tuesdays over rocketing energy bills

Bar group Revolution will shut its venues on Mondays and Tuesdays this month and in early February due to rocketing energy costs.

Shares in the company tumbled by as much as a quarter on Tuesday (17 January) as the hospitality firm recorded a hit to trade from industrial action.

Revolution Bars Group, which also owns the Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pub brands, said earnings for the year are “likely to be lower than previously guided”.

It said that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation is due to be at the bottom end of market expectations - which had ranged between £6.7 million and £10.5 million.

Rob Pitcher, chief executive officer of the group, said: “The board have reviewed their expectations for the full year, taken a number of actions to mitigate the external factors where possible, and will continue to track these closely.

“The decision to close some bars on a Monday and Tuesday in the early weeks of the year allows us to minimise energy usage in our quietest period whilst also allowing our teams to recover after the busy Christmas period.”

‘The coming months are going to be challenging and uncertain’

The group said it saw like-for-like sales rise by 17.3% over the five weeks to 31 December compared with the same period in 2021, due to it benefiting from “strong” office Christmas party demand.

However, Revolution said that the Christmas trading period saw sales 9% down against pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

It said sales were broadly below pre-Covid levels as a result of the impact from “significant industrial action” by rail workers and the impact of the cost of living crisis on consumer confidence.

Mr Pitcher added: “The first Christmas since 2019 without the shadow of Covid saw a new company record for pre-booked party revenue allowing us to be optimistic of a strong Christmas period.

“However, the continued train strikes had a material impact on whether guests attended their office Christmas parties, how long they stayed and whether they met up with friends on a separate occasion.

“Given the current economic environment, the coming months are going to be challenging and uncertain, not only for us but for many businesses.”