Tea and coffee retailer Whittard of Chelsea signalled better times ahead after its profits more than doubled. The firm, which spent two years in the red before posting annual profits last September, saw pre-tax profits leap 104% to �2.31m this year.
Whittard said the approach it had adopted since the arrival in 2001 of a new management team, under CEO Richard Rose, was "clearly succeeding".
The group's fortunes flagged in 1999 when trading conditions were tougher.
More stores
Whittard also announced it was restoring its dividend for shareholders.
The 2p-a-share payout comes after the company posted a 6.3% rise in like-for-like sales in the 12 months to 31 May.
The London-based group said it had opened three new stores in the UK, taking the current total to 103.
Additionally, Whittard opened its first two shops in the United States, where it said trading was in line with expectations.
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