PRESTIGIOUS local tea rooms and retailer Bettys and Taylors has increased sales in its 90th year.
The Harrogate business which also runs tea rooms in York, said it had increased sales by 15 per cent to £88.7 million in its latest report to Companies House, covering the year ended 31 October 2009.
The company, which also sells ethically sourced tea and coffee through its Taylors of Harrogate business, recorded a slight impact on profits from the increasing costs of raw material and currency fluctuations. Pre-tax profits were £7.7 million, down from almost £8 million in 2008.
The business donated £289,000 to charity during the year, including £100,000 made through its Yorkshire Rainforest Project, in which it aims to save an area of rainforest the size of Yorkshire from destruction.
It has committed £3.9m to capital projects for 2010 and said it planned to continue to invest in its manufacturing facilities, retail and catering premises and brand development.
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