Total sales at some of the UK's leading pub and restaurant groups increased by 2 per cent during April, compared with the same period in 2009, according to new figures.

The Coffer Peach Business Tracker, which comprises 15 operators including Mitchells and Butler, Whitbread and Pizza Hut, saw a 0.7 per cent increase in like-for-like sales during the period. Peach Factory produces the tracker in partnership with KPMG, the Coffer Group and UBS, which has seen like-for-like sales return to growth after a 0.4 per cent decline during March.

Peter Martin of Peach Factory said: "Although positive, the results are a reminder that groups will have to stay on the top of their game, particularly with continued uncertainty about the economy ahead of the public-sector spending cuts promised by the new government." Richard Hathaway, head of travel, leisure and tourism at KPMG, added: "While sales stayed fairly flat in April, month on month they held up well, particularly given the negative impact on trading the ash cloud no doubt brought with it, certainly in London."