Boddington disappoints with 6% rise

LACK of growth in consumer spending lowered Boddington Group's shares 11p to 282p on nterim results at the bottom end of City expectations, writes John Shepherd.

Denis Cassidy, chairman of the pub and nursing homes group, said the shadow of the unemployed fell across those in work. Spending patterns were also affected by tax increases.

Taxable profits for the half- year to 3 July rose an underlying 6.4 per cent to pounds 13m against pounds 25.2m previously, a result inflated by the sale of the group's shares in the Devenish pub group.

Beer sales in Boddington's 477 pubs fell almost 3 per cent, less than the overall 4 per cent drop in its mainstay market in the North-west. The decline was more than offset by higher food sales, and as more tenanted pubs came under direct management. Pub trading profits rose 4 per cent to pounds 10.7m.