Strong performance at Premier Inn has continued to boost sales at Whitbread. The hotel chain saw like-for-like sales increase by 10.7 per cent in the 24 weeks to August, with cost-conscience business travellers increasingly turning to the chain over more expensive options.

Hotel and restaurant chain Whitbread has enjoyed a strong start to the financial year, as budget chain Premier Inn led the way. Overall the group – which also operates the Costa Coffee, Brewers Fayre and Beefeater brands - recorded a like-for-like sales increased of 7.6 per cent over the 13 weeks to June 3rd.