Trading for pubs and restaurants across the U.K. worsened in April largely due to cold and wet weather amid an uncertain economic outlook, a study released Thursday showed, although analysts expect a pickup in May and June.

The Coffer Peach Business Tracker reported that comparable sales in April fell 2% on the year, following a rise of 1.9% in March. Total sales, which include new openings, rose 1.9%.

The tracker monitors trends in the eating and drinking-out market by collecting monthly performance data from 24 companies, including Whitbread PLC (WTB.LN), Mitchells & Butlers PLC (MAB.LN), Spirit Pub Co. PLC (SPRT.LN) and Marston's PLC (MARS.LN).

Pubs, and in particular drink-led businesses, were worst hit, although high-street casual dining restaurants saw sales increase, it 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," said analyst Peter Martin of Peach Factory, a market intelligence group that produces the report in partnership with UBS AG (UBS) and investment advisory service The Coffer Group.

Martin also said the same period a year ago provides a tough comparison.

"Last April, not only did we have hotter weather, but we had the Royal Wedding and Mother's Day in the month, as well as the Easter holidays."

Martin said the market remains "volatile," with the uplift in March preceded by falling comparable sales in January and February.

Economists and businesses are concerned that economic weakness, below-inflation pay rises and unemployment are crimping consumer spending.

Still, analysts hope for a rebound in May on more favorable comparisons and in June thanks to trading benefits from the Queen's Jubilee bank holiday and the European soccer championships.

Jonathan Leinster, European leisure research analyst at UBS, said: "We believe consumers are still happy to allocate discretionary spend to eating and drinking out, and pub-restaurants and other low-cost food options are growing share within that market."

-By Simon Zekaria, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 207 842-9410; simon.zekaria@dowjones.com

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