Côte Restaurants' sales grow 15.8% despite ‘weakening backdrop'

Casual dining restaurant business Côte Restaurants saw sales increase by 15.8% last year despite a "weakening backdrop".

In annual accounts filed at Companies House, the firm revealed that sales during the year to 30 July 2017 grew to £140.7m across its 94 restaurants, up from £121.5m the year before.

Like-for-like sales were up 4.1% over the period.

Operating profit excluding non-trading items rose 7.5% to £12.3m. Pre-tax profit was flat at £10m.

The company claimed that it was outperforming the market despite "challenging economic conditions facing our industry".

"As Côte enters its 10th year, we remain confident that the brand remains incredibly strong and despite these challenges we will continue to invest in opening new restaurants," director Strahan Wilson said.

Last month, it emerged that Côte closed its Lincoln restaurant suddenly after two years trading at the location, although the business was unavailable to comment on the news.

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