Wetherspoons has announced a surge in sales thanks to the growing popularity of Guinness as well as a bounce in demand for breakfasts.

The pub group, has reported a 5.1% increase in like-for-like sales for the three months ending 20 July, compared to the previous year.

There are nine Wetherspoon pubs in Ireland and three in Northern Ireland and close to 800 pubs across the rest of the United Kingdom.

Sales volumes have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels after earlier concerns about a sluggish recovery across the wider group.

A key driver of the sales growth has been the popularity of Guinness, alongside growth in wine and an improvement in spirits.

Guinness is now the most popular pint in Britain as young drinkers turn to its more cultured image.

In January, there were even reports of a Guinness shortage as demand outstripped supply.

Wetherspoons said the warm summer had helped with sales as many of their pubs were able to attract drinkers to their beer gardens.

Wetherspoon’s chairman Tim Martin said: “Draught volumes are performing strongly with Guinness being the standout performer.

“On the food front, breakfasts, terribly slow post-pandemic, have recovered their lustre and are now well ahead.

“Chicken, also, has put in a clucking good performance and volumes in recent weeks are up by about 50 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels.”

(Pic: Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images)