A trading statement from hotels and restaurants group Whitbread reveals that total sales for the 24 weeks to 19 August were up 14 per cent, while like-for-like sales saw a rise of 7.9 per cent.

In the year to date, Premier Inn has opened nine new hotels with a total of 795 rooms. Six of the hotels are on joint sites with restaurants. Costa Coffee saw total sales increase by 28 percent and like-for-likes rising by 8.3 per cent. The newly introduced Costa Coffee Club loyalty card scheme has exceeded the company's expectations and membership now stands at more than three million since its launch in March.

Total system sales were up 33.5 percent. International Costa franchise store sales were up by 25.6 per cent to £48.6m and total UK franchise store sales were up by more than half at 55.1 per cent to £77.2m. A net total of 98 stores have been opened in the year to date, including 54 company-operated stores (28 in the UK and 26 globally) and 44 franchise stores (27 in the UK and 17 globally).

Elsewhere, Andy Harrison joined Whitbread as chief executive designate on 1 September; he takes over from Alan Parker when he retires on 25 November. Image: Whitbread plc