Marston’s posts annual loss, sees challenging winter ahead

(Reuters) – British pub operator Marston’s Plc warned on Thursday that winter months would be both challenging and uncertain with 780 of its pubs remaining closed after the fresh coronavirus-induced lockdown in November, as it posted an annual loss.

The Wolverhampton, UK-based company said underlying pretax loss for the year ended Oct. 3 was 22 million pounds ($29.35 million), compared with an underlying pretax profit of 95.1 million pounds last year.