Urban Pubs & Bars achieves ‘record’ profits
London hospitality group Urban Pubs & Bars saw annual turnover increase by nearly a third last year.
In the 12 months to January 2026, the group’s site earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) totalled £23 million (US$31.5m). Minus central costs, this figure was £17m (US$23.3m).
This was an increase of £5m (US$6.9m) compared with the financial year that ended on 27 April 2025 (FY24/25) – an uplift of almost 50%.
The growth continues a positive trajectory for the group. EBITDA for FY24/25 was £12.3m (US$16.86m), an increase of 41% on the year prior. This was despite headwinds including increases in the National Living Wage and National Insurance contributions.
Annual turnover also rose by 32% to £79.6m (US$109.1m), which the group said was driven by ‘strong like-for-like sales growth, a highly successful acquisition programme, new site refurbishments and the annualisation of sites acquired in the prior year’.
The group said its Christmas 2025 trading performance was its ‘strongest ever’. In the five weeks to 4 January, like-for-like sales were up by 14%. Total covers also increased by 40%, which the group said reflects the ‘continued strength of the group’s appeal of its pubs to London consumers’.
Urban Pubs & Bars operates 66 sites across London. It recently completed its sixth acquisition of 2026 with the purchase of The Birdcage in east London from BrewDog.
Its other recent acquisitions include The Prince Regent in Herne Hill and four sites from Brunning & Price.
Managing director Chris Hill said: “Delivering more than £20m of site EBITDA in the past 12 months is a major milestone for Urban. Our record Christmas trading and latest figures reflect the quality of our estate and the strength of our teams. The momentum we have going into 2026 is exceptionally strong.”
Other UK bar groups have not been so fortunate, with Revolution owner The Revel Collective closing 21 sites and selling the rest of its portfolio.
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