Shares in the British Honey Company began trading again today as it revealed a £2 million loss for the first half of the year.
The honey, sprits and jam maker said turnover was £3 million in the six months to end June, marginally ahead of last year.
The company said sales were “solid” despite “the wider economic environment which became more challenging across the country as we entered the second half of the current financial year.”
But it added: “Customer retention and demand remained robust and we continue to attract new business thanks to our strong production capabilities and a focus on maintaining the quality of our customer service.”
They are the first set of results for a period completed since a major boardroom shake-up last year. Trading in the shares on the Aquis Exchange was suspended in June but restored this morning.
The company put itself up for sale in October but the sale process has now ended after a major shareholder provided a £750,000 loan.
Chairman, Richard Day said:“Top line performance has been satisfactory in the first half, with consumer demand remaining relatively strong. Pricing levels have been maintained in a generally challenging global environment. The overall picture in the economy has tightened in the second half and our turnover has been impacted but we are busy and active.
“The response to us being able to announce the ending of our formal sales process has been very positive among our customers. Our investors will also shortly see the resumption of dealings in the company’s shares after a lengthy period of suspension.
“The underlying operations of the Group are now in a stronger position and we look forward to providing further details on our trading and operations early in the New Year.”
The shares were unchanged at 17.5p.
