Belhaven enjoys profits boost

Jul 4 2008 Daily Record

BELHAVEN Brewery's profits have soared 18 per cent to £27.5million despite the smoking ban.

Parent group Greene King, who also own said the Loch Fyne restaurant group, said Belhaven's results had been "outstanding" in difficult circumstances.

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand said: "Our results in Scotland give me some encouragement for future prospects in England."

Belhaven's food revenue has risen more than 50 per cent in the last two years.

Overall sales at Greene King fell nearly three per cent in May and June.

The group warned pub beer sales had come under considerable pressure thanks to plunging consumer confidence, the English smoking ban and raw material cost increases.

Their retail arm - 753 managed pubs and 39 restaurants - said like-for-like sales fell 2.8per cent.

The group also operate 1800 mainly leased premises. Greene King posted pre-tax profits of £142million for the 53 weeks to May 3, two per cent up on the year before.