Premier Inn UK’s sales in the first half of the financial year were more than 25% ahead of the mid-scale and economy market, according to parent Whitbread.

As it released its interim results today, the company said its UK accommodation sales were 101% ahead of the first half of the previous financial year and 35% up on the first half of 2020.

Food and drink sales were up 95% on the first half of the last financial year, but 5% down on pre-pandemic levels.

Its pre-tax profit was £307.4m, which included £33.5m of net impairment reversals and £3m from property sales.

Whitbread CEO Alison Brittain said the company ‘remain focused on maintaining our position as the UK’s number one hotel chain’.

“We delivered an outstanding trading performance in the first half of the year, with revenues and profit before tax above pre-pandemic levels,” she added.

“Our UK hotels traded well-ahead of the market, benefiting from our ‘investing to win’ commercial and operational initiatives that are continuing to drive growth.”