Loungers’ solid return

Cafe-bar group Loungers has beaten pre-pandemic sales as customers flocked back after Covid restrictions were lifted.

Revenues hit £102m in the six months to October 3, up from £79.8m in the same six-month period in 2019. Pre-tax profits were £12.8m compared to a £2.5m loss.

it has yet to see an impact from the Omicron variant of Covid-19. nick Collins, chief executive, said Christmas bookings had not been affected. ‘We have seen bookings continue to come in as predicted. i’m really happy with preparations.’

Loungers opened 12 sites during the period, with a further 13 planned by April and plans more, focusing on suburbs to benefit from a shift to home working.