If you thought Christmas trading was tough for pubs, RedCat Hospitality has just proved otherwise.
The operator behind The Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs has revealed strong like-for-like sales growth right across December 2025 — and the numbers make for some very festive reading.
Big Christmas numbers
Over the crucial two-week period covering Christmas and New Year, the Coaching Inn Group delivered a hefty 11.7% like-for-like sales increase. Stretch that out over the full six-week festive season and growth still landed at a very healthy 8.4%.
And it wasn’t just bums on seats. RedCat also reported growth across food, drink and bedrooms, alongside record guest scores for December, showing customers weren’t just turning up — they were leaving happy too.
Refurbs paying dividends
A couple of standout sites showed exactly why investment matters. The Castle of Brecon and The Warwick Arms Hotel both performed exceptionally well following major refurbishment projects completed in 2025. Fresh rooms, smart bars and a polished offer clearly did the trick.
Independents still smashing it
Meanwhile, the RedCat Independent Pubs estate also enjoyed a strong festive run, posting 5.6% like-for-like growth across the peak Christmas fortnight and 2.2% growth over the full six weeks.
Several sites hit their best-ever trading weeks, with The Lion Inn stealing the spotlight after pulling in a massive £215,000 in its peak week alone. Not bad going at all 🍻🔥
Ending the year on a high
CEO Richard Lewis said the group finished 2025 “on a real high”, praising teams across the business for their dedication and focus during one of the busiest times of the year.
With strong sales, happy guests and refurbs already delivering results, RedCat’s festive performance shows that well-run pubs can still absolutely clean up at Christmas.
Would these numbers tempt you out for one more festive pint next year? 🍺👇 Tag the mate who always books the pub with rooms.
