Bespoke furniture manufacturer LINLEY has reported a growth in sales as turnover climbed towards £7m.

According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 27 June 2021, total sales rose 9.6% to £6.8m from £6.2m in 2020.

Gross profit increased from £2.9m to £3.9m, while pre-tax profit resulted at £300,000, making a significant improvement from its loss of £1.4m recorded the previous year.

Stated within its report, the company said the Covid-19 pandemic, along with the enforced lockdowns, had a significant impact on the business, which included a ‘punishing loss of the pre-Christmas trade in the domestic market’.

Despite these challenges, the group delivered growth following the implementation of an action plan to drive down operational costs.

The company added that it experienced a sizeable uptick in its online platform, but was modest when compared to the wider business.

“Having dealt with the immediacy of the crisis, and delivered a profitable year, the board returned its focus to the fundamentals and the longer term strategy. Some of the challenges remain in play but the evolved business is now driving robust top line performance, with a well understood and controlled cost base,” LINLEY added.