Bristol-headquartered café/bar chain Loungers has proclaimed the latest outlet in its home city as its best performing new site ever.
The highly successful group opened Ritorno Lounge in July in the former Pitcher & Piano on Harbourside, pictured. At the time it was its 228th Lounge-branded venue. 
While it is its largest venue so far in the city where the business started nearly 22 years ago, the concept, as with all Lounges, is based roughly on that of the group’s first venue on North Street in Bedminster – a relaxed atmosphere with a strong food offering and quirky décor.
Loungers CEO Nick Collins, pictured, told shareholders this week at the group’s AGM, which it staged in Ritorno Lounge, that the venue had the strongest start for a new site in the group’s history.
He also said despite nervousness around the general economy and fears of a further slowdown in the hospitality sector, there was a feeling of confidence among its customers.
The group continued to enjoy market-leading like-for-like sales growth, he added, and had opened 17 new sites opened during the 24 weeks to 6 October. 
In a trading update to coincide with the AGM, the group – which also owns the Cosy Club and Brightside brands – achieved like-for-like sales growth of 4.7% during the period, which it said was “another clear demonstration of Loungers’ ability to consistently outperform the broader UK hospitality market”.
Total revenue in the period of £178.3m was 19.2% up on the previous year (£149.6m), while the group’s balance sheet remained strong, with non-property net debt at 6 October of £12.2m.
A further 18 sites are scheduled to open in the second half, it said, continuing the increased roll-out programme following the 36 new sites opened in the previous financial year.
Nick Collins said: “I am delighted with our performance and the consistency of our sales growth, both in terms of like-for-like growth in the mature estate as well as the strength of our new openings.
“During the period we have opened in 17 towns and high streets across the UK, which adds up to 37 in the last 12 months, and enormous credit is due to the hard work and professionalism of our amazing teams.
“The opening of our Ritorno Lounge on Bristol’s Harbourside, has been our best performing new site ever.
“This is particularly gratifying given Bristol is the city in which the Loungers story first started 22 years ago.
“From what we are seeing across our sites, UK consumers are feeling increasingly confident and want to go out and enjoy themselves across all parts of the day.
“That confidence, combined with the variety, breadth, flexibility and relevance of our all-day offering, is reflected in our continued sales success.”
The Loungers group also has 35 Cosy Clubs, which tend to be based in larger, city and town-centre buildings, and three Brightside roadside restaurants, all in the South West. It has a long-term plan to have a chain of 600-plus outlets.
