Center Parcs profits nudge ahead
Strong trading over the summer helped short-break holiday village operator Center Parcs nudge up profits in the first six months of its financial year.
The company, which earlier this month said it was looking to open a fifth site in the UK, reported pre-tax profits for the six months to 7 October of £20.1m, against £19.5m at the same point last year.
Turnover was marginally down at £113.2m, compared with £115m last time around, but occupancy in the period was a healthy 91.5%.
Chief executive Martin Dalby described the results as "strong".
A 9.1% increase in energy costs in the first half had also had an impact, and further increases were likely in the remainder of the year, he suggested.
"A strong summer maintained our occupancy record and management actions to control costs ensured margins remained stable," Dalby said.
Center Parc's other villages are at Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire and Oasis Whinfell Forest in Cumbria.
by Nic Paton
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