Conran feasts on profits from restaurant sale
CONRAN Holdings, the design empire founded by Sir Terence Conran, has made a return to profit after selling its restaurant business last year.
The company behind The Conran Shop and the design consultancy Conran & Partners, made a £6.4m profit from selling its 51 per cent stake in in D&D London, whose sites include Coq D’Argent, Pont de la Tour and the Royal Exchange.
This helped boost Conran Holdings’ pre-tax profit to £4.3m in the year to 31 March 2014 compared with a £3.1m loss the previous year.
Accounts filed on Companies House show turnover rose from £38m to £39.8m thanks to an 82 per cent rise in sales across its architecture, design and licensing business.
Conran Holdings is now run by Sir Terence’s son Jaspar after the 82 year-old serial entrepreneur stepped down as chairman in March.
This year will be the first under the leadership of the celebrated fashion designer, whose best known collaborations include his J for Jasper Conran womenswear range for Debenhams.
Sir Terence remains on the board of the company.