WHITTARD OF CHELSEA ON THE BOIL AGAIN WITH A PROFIT

TEA, coffee and cocoa seller Whittard of Chelsea today said it was profitable again as more shoppers snapped up its wares.

The business, set up in 1886, made profits of £251,000 last year compared with a £1.4 million loss in 2016, while revenues rose

20.4% to £34.7 million.

Its retail arm’s same-store sales were up by 10.3%.

Chief executive Mark Dunhill said: “We are confident that we will maintain the momentum established in 2017 and continue to deliver sustainable growth.”