Pub operator Greene King has reported a slowing down in sales, but has been boosted by its recently acquired seafood restaurant group, Loch Fyne.

Greene King saw its managed pub sales drop 0.1 per cent in the 38 weeks to 20 January, and it’s tenanted and leased estate’s profits grew by 0.2 per cent. However, Loch Fyne saw a 2.3 per cent increase in like for like sales since it was acquired in August.

The 36-strong chain of seafood restaurants was bought from Hutton Collins, the private equity house, for £68.1m.

The company said in a statement: “We expect the rest of the year to remain challenging. Nevertheless, the inherent strengths of our business, the resilience of our business model and the encouraging contributions from recent acquisitions give us confidence that our earnings expectations for the will be met.”