Shepherd Neame, the UK regional brewer and pub operator, has posted 4.3 % rise of its pre-tax profits up to Ј8.7 million for the 52 weeks to 28 June, 2003, versus the previous year. Sales rose by 7.3% to Ј84.5 million. Trading profit, excluding property profits, rose by 8.2% to Ј8.3m while earnings per share, also excluding property gains, were up by 7.9% to 43.9 pence.
Total brewing volumes rose by 7.5% with sales of its flagship brand, Spitfire, increasing by 24.9%. Turnover from the company's managed pubs rose by 11% with like-for-like sales rising by 7.9%. The company said that the good weather since the year end had created a positive trading environment and it had continued to record growth in beer sales volumes against the same period last year.
10 October, 2003
