Flynn brothers a happy pair as business booming

GREYSTONES twins, David and Stephen Flynn, have reported a 40 per cent increase in revenues to date this year on 2016.

The foodies’ Happy Pear business now employs 170 people compared to around 100 this time last year.

In 2016, the business opened a new 14,000 sq ft production facility in Kilcoole, and raised €1.5 million in funding to expand its café business.

Now, new accounts show that expansion costs at Flynn & Flynn Global Trade Ltd resulted in the business recording a modest loss of €77,410 last year.

The loss followed the business – which started back in 2004 as a small veg shop – enjoying a profit of €45,506 in 2015 when the business enjoyed revenues of around €4m.

‘Our current performance remains solid across all parts of the business and we’re continuing to grow and invest significantly in the business and our people,’ said a spokeswoman.

Underlining the expansion of the firm, numbers employed by the business last year increased by almost 50 per cent going from 63 to 93 – with staff costs increasing from €1.6m to €2.13m.

The business now operates three Happy Pear outlets - two in Greystones and one in Clondalkin.

‘We hope to open another café in the Dublin area in 2017/18 and our third cookbook, published by Penguin, will be out in spring 2018,’ a spokeswoman added.

‘ The business comprises retail and production and distribution of products to SuperValu, Centra and independent foodie stores as well as education, media and events.

The new accounts show that the firm’s cash pile last year soared going from €95,503 to €1.33m.

The €1.5m in funding resulted in the company’s shareholder funds increasing from €59,700 to €1.48m at the end of last year.

The Flynn twins sit on the board with their younger brother Darragh.

The aggregate pay to directors totalled €95,568. The loss takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €212,994. The value of the company’s tangibles increased to €913,775.