Ask turns in robust profits

Pizza-and-pasta restaurant chain Ask has continued to increase its turnover and profits, despite a difficult year for the catering and leisure sectors.

In the six months to 30 June, turnover at Ask Central increased by 24.6% to £45.1m, compared with £36.2m for the same period in 2001.

Pre-tax profit increased by 29% to £7.6m, up from £5.9m a year earlier.

Chairman George Cracknell said that although tourism and eating out, particularly in central London, had not fully recovered from the problems of 2001, trading at the group had been "robust".

Areas which had not been especially dependent on overseas visitors had been particularly successful.

During the period, the group opened 11 restaurants, taking its total to 137. It has since opened a further three.