BREWING to restaurants group Whitbread has given an upbeat assessment of trading in the run-up to Christmas.

The firm employs 800 staff at its brewery at Samlesbury and distribution depot in Blackburn.

It reported higher profits and sales than in the same period in the previous year although it said market conditions had been mixed.

Chief executive Peter Jarvis said there had been a marked contrast between urban and rural businesses.

"Outlets in the high street and on retail parks performed most strongly.

"That reflected, in part, the increased popularity of Sunday shopping.

"Out-of-town pubs and restaurants were adversely affected by the same factors and by bad weather.

"The Whitbread Beer Company recorded sales volumes significantly ahead of last year, especially in take-home."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.