Booker benefits from catering focus

29/05/2009 16:51:29

A move into the catering market has helped cash-and-carry chain Booker increase annual profits by 30 per cent.

The firm took £47.2 million for the year to March 27th, seeing a 3.3 per cent rise in sales to £3.2 billion over the course of 2007-08.

According to chairman Richard Rose, last year saw the firm become the largest supplier of food and drink to the UK's cinema industry, while it also won a contract to supply catering services to HM Prisons in England and Wales.

Booker chief executive Charles Wilson said customer satisfaction improved, the firm's sales increased, operating profits were up 25 per cent and net debt was down 47 per cent.

He added: "Our plan to focus, drive and broaden the business is working and we are satisfied with the progress we have made.

"The economy is expected to remain difficult in the year ahead and the food wholesale market remains very competitive. We expect to continue to make progress in this challenging environment."

Earlier this month, Sodexo Prestige signed a contract to provide conference, banqueting and visitor catering services at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Contract catering jobs could be created in the north-east after the three-year, £3 million deal was agreed, it has been suggested.

Contract catering jobs in Newcastle

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