Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries has issued results for the year to 27 September showing like for like sales at its Pathfinder Pubs and Union Pub Company outlets up 3.6 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively.

Group turnover for the period was £490.5m compared with £505.6m last year, with Pathfinder contributing £252.4m of this - down from £278m - and Union Pub £115.8m, up from £97.2m.

Pre-tax profit was £73.1m, compared with £74m, reflecting cash returns to shareholders. Before tax but after goodwill and exceptionals, the figure was £59.6m, up 1.5 per cent.

The company's Pathfinder Pub business consisted of 477 sites at the year end, against 488 last year, its strong performance benefiting from the good summer weather and pub investment.

The year saw 33 pubs in either the Bostin Local or Service That Suits Me formats being refurbished, with a further 75 Bostin Locals to be refurbished over the next two years. The company has 20 Service That Suits Me outlets and aims to create a further 20, also over the next two years, from its existing estate. Three of the Pitcher & Piano brand sites have seen a combined £1.2m refurbishment programme, which will be extended to another seven sites during 2004.

The good weather during the summer also helped growth at The Union Pub Company - down from 1,142 pubs last year to 1,131 this time - which benefited additionally from a drive to extend 21-year Open House leases across the business.

Looking ahead, W&D reports a good start to the new financial year, with total like for like sales at Union Pub up by 5 per cent and across the whole Pathfinder managed estate by 3.1 per cent, compared with the same period last year. Details: www.fullpint.co.uk