Some of the UK's leading pub and restaurant groups have reported a collective 2 per cent decline in like-for-like sales after cold and wet weather conditions during April impact on trading.

The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker found that drink-led operators were among the worst affected. However, casual eateries actually saw sales increase when compared with April 2011.

Although like-for-like sales for April were down, total sales - including new openings - were up 1.9 per cent. The tracker compiles trading data from more than 20 leading operators.

Peter Martin of Peach Factory said: "As ever, the weather is a major factor in where, or whether, people choose to go out and eat. In general, if it's sunny people go to the pub; when it's wet restaurants tend to benefit."

Details: www.peach-report.com