It is the third month of negative growth out of four for the Tracker, which is produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, in association with RSM. It continues a challenging start to 2026 for managed groups, with businesses and individuals alike facing relentless pressure on costs.

Restaurant & pub sectors were broadly flat in April. Restaurant sales were 0.1% ahead of the same month in 2025 – a marked downturn from March, when they achieved growth of 2.5% – while pub sales fell by 0.2%. 

This is the first negative month for pubs since the start of last year, reflecting tough comparisons with a sunny and warm April in 2025. Cooler and wetter weather left gardens and terraces in some parts of the country empty last month, including over the crucial Easter weekend.

Meanwhile, the bar sector continued a long run of soft trading, with like-for-like sales dropping by 5.8% to make April the weakest month since October. Recent bar closures from operators including Revolution and Brewdog highlight the pressure on this sector.

Karl Chessell, Director - Hospitality Operators and Food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “After a tough start to 2026, hospitality groups’ like-for-like growth has now been below inflation for 12 straight months. With key operating costs so high and consumer spending restricted yet further by the impacts of high oil prices, trading conditions won’t be getting easier anytime soon. The confidence of businesses and individuals alike is running low and pub operators in particular will be hoping for brighter weather to tempt people out and stimulate spending over the summer.”

Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK, said: “It’s hard to ignore the growing impact that the conflict in Iran is having on consumer confidence, with discretionary spending increasingly constrained by higher petrol prices. There is also concern that a potential Labour leadership challenge will bring further uncertainty, which has already nudged up mortgage rates and risks sending the wrong signal to consumers.”