Brewer Shepherd Neame toasts record sales as workers return to their offices – and then to the pub

Brewer Shepherd Neame is celebrating record sales as workers return to their offices – and then to the pub.

The company, which is more than 300 years old, said demand has been particularly strong in London, amid signs that staff are spending more time in the office.

Revenues for the six months to December reached a record £89million, about 4 per cent more than the same period a year ago.

Christmas trading was exceptional, said chief executive Jonathan Neame, and it was affected by just six days of rail strikes.

The minimum wage will wise to £11.44 from April, from £10.42, and applies to 21 and 22-year-olds for the first time. Pre-tax profit fell to £1.1million from £5.5million the previous year.