SSP signs deals with Jamie Oliver and James Martin in positive half year trading

Travel concession operator SSP has made a profit of £13.8m for the first half of its financial year.

The company, which operates the likes of Burger King and Café Ritazza in travel locations, reported a pre-tax loss of £6.4m in the same period a year ago.

Revenue was up 2.6% at £859m on a constant currency basis, but down 0.8% at actual exchange rates for the six months to 31 March 2015.

In the UK revenue decreased 0.3% to £342m, with underlying operating profit up 37% to £18m on a like-for-like basis.

SSP said that it had strengthened its portfolio in the period having secured deals with Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group and James Martin Kitchen.

It will operate Jamie's Italian restaurants at airports in France, Germany, Switzerland and Holland, and has opened its first James Martin Kitchen at Stansted Airport.

SSP Group chief executive Kate Swann said: "We delivered a good performance in the first half of 2015 with profit up 28% and like-for-like sales growth of 3.0%. We have continued to successfully implement our strategy, and are encouraged by the significant contract wins we have secured so far this year.

Our confidence in the future is supported by our increasing investment in the business and by the further strengthening of the portfolio of brands and concepts we offer to our clients."

She added that the second half of the financial year was in line with expectations.

SSP launches barbecue and craft beer concept at Manchester Airport >>SSP launches Cabin bar at Newcastle airport >>