Bad weather can't dampen C&C

DESPITE wet summer weather, a lack of tourists and the introduction of a smoking ban, Irish drinks group C&C managed to beat expectations with its maiden first-half figures.

Chief executive Maurice Pratt admitted that the effects of the ban on smoking in the workplace during the winter months remained 'unpredictable'.

The ban, which came in at the end of March, had a noticeably great effect during July and August when the weather took a turn for the worse.

Pratt said sales of beer, cider and alcopops in Irish pubs fell by almost 8% in the last three months, which was only partly countered by an 11% rise in sales from off-licences and supermarkets.

He said: 'Many pubs have put in very good beer gardens to get round the smoking ban, but obviously that doesn't help when it's raining.'

C&C's key brand, Bulmers cider, which makes up 60% of turnover, managed to increase its market share with sales rising by 4%.

The export cider Magners grew by 40% as it's roll-out into Scotland and southeast England moved ahead. Whiskey and cream liqueur Carolans was relaunched in June with new packaging and bottle sizes to a favourable reaction from its most important market - the United States.

Following its e725m (£502m) flotation in May, C&C pushed sales up by 6% to e386m and operating profit rose by the same percentage to e64.2m.

The maiden interim dividend is 5.5 cents.