Restaurant chains were particularly resilient, with like-for-like sales ahead 3.2%, double the 1.5% growth seen by managed pubs. Bar groups continued to struggle with like-for-likes down 3.8%. while the on-the-go market achieved 4.3% growth.

England saw 95% more rainfall last month than its September average, with Wales experiencing 39% more. The UK as a whole experienced 25% more rain than average.

As was the case in August, trading in London was slightly softer than the rest of the country. Sales inside the M25 were 1.3% ahead of September 2023, while venues outside the M25 achieved 1.9% growth.

The Tracker, formerly known as the Peach Tracker, is produced by CGA by NIQ in partnership with RSM UK.

Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “Against the comparative of a sunny start to autumn in 2023, September was always going to be challenging. Pubs faced a particularly difficult month, with the rain keeping people out of beer gardens and terraces, though it did at least drive some of them indoors to give restaurants a brighter time.”

CGA by NIQ collected sales figures directly from 114 leading managed groups for September’s report.