海角视频

Home furnishings firm Barker & Stonehouse saw profits double in latest accounts, despite being forced to close its stores for six months during pandemic lockdowns.

The North East family-owned firm, which has 11 stores across the 海角视频 including its flagship Teesside Retail Park shop in Stockton, reaped the rewards of pent-up demand for homeware goods in the year ended March 28 2021, with turnover rising 1.4% to 拢76.1m.

Operating profit soared from 拢2.36m to 拢5.25m and pre-tax profit rose from 拢2.02m to 拢4.98m, while total comprehensive income for the 12 months came in at 拢3.99m, up from 拢1.46m, but increasing costs led to its gross margins dropping by just under 1%.

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During the year the company also grew its workforce from 385 to 413 full-time equivalent employees.

In a report within the accounts, financial director Peter Soakell said: 鈥淭he company continues to operate retail outlets, supplying household furnishings.

鈥淭urnover increased slightly during the period despite the stores being closed for six months of the period due to the global pandemic.

鈥淕ross margin dropped by 0.7% during the year reflecting increasing costs in the supply chain. Profit before tax increased to 拢4.98m during the year, as a result of reduced store operating costs during the year. Cash increased to 拢8.5m and the company was completely up to date with taxation, rents and supplier payments.

鈥淟ike many homewares businesses, the company has traded strongly since the year end despite the pandemic. As for many businesses, we operate in a highly competitive industry, which is vulnerable to changing trends in interior design, consumer spending habits and fluctuations in exchange rates.

鈥淭he company is aware of the uncertainties surrounding Brexit and has taken reasonable measures to ensure the smooth supply of goods.鈥�

Barker and Stonehouse was founded in Stockton on Tees in 1946 by Charles Barker and Alex Stonehouse, who set about creating a furniture store aimed at delivering a boost to post-war Britain.

It is now run by James Barker, the third generation of his family to take the helm at the business, following in his father Richard鈥檚 footsteps after he bought out the Stonehouse family interest in 1974.

Following the financial year end the firm became the first independent 海角视频 furniture retailer to be awarded Carbon Neutral Plus status, to show it is reducing emissions above and beyond its own carbon footprint.

The firm, which marked 75 years of trading in 2021, pledged to plant at least 75,000 trees last year, including one for every delivery it makes, as well as carry out discussions on sustainability with its key suppliers.

It also announced a partnership with fellow North East retail stalwart Fenwick, to launch new in-store concepts within the company鈥檚 department stores in Newcastle and Kingston.

Meanwhile, its plans to build a new store in Gateshead on the former Snow + Rock site at the Metrocentre Retail Park were given the green light last November.

The new store will double the size of its existing Gateshead base with nearly 50,000 sqft of retail space across three floors and will also create 20 new jobs.