Marston’s vows not to ditch traditional Christmas dinners at its pubs

Marston’s will keep Christmas traditional dinners on the menu unlike rival Wetherspoons, the boss of the pubs chain vowed on Wednesday as he raised a glass to sales growth.

Ralph Findlay said the turkey and trimmings offering “is very important” to his empire of 1560 pubs, which includes Pitcher & Piano bars.

The update will be welcomed by festive fans, who were outraged last month when it emerged JD Wetherspoon was scrapping the conventional dinners and instead selling yuletide burgers or turkey pie.

Marston’s plans for this year include opening 22 more pubs.

Sales at dining pubs open for more than a year rose 2.3% in the year to October 1.

Beer brands such as Hobgoblin performed strongly, with own-brand volumes up 13%.

Analysts at JP Morgan Cazenove said: "Marston's is taking market share in the British ale market, notably across its range of bottled beer and premium cash ale. With Halloween around the corner, it is expected that Hobgoblin sales will be particularly strong in the near-term."