The boss of Hotel Chocolat on Tuesday said that he is prepared to ask its banks to advance extra cash to turbocharge the posh chocolatier’s expansion.
Chief executive Angus Thirlwell, who is growing the business in America and Japan, said: “Cash generation is very strong, but if we need to find other ways to go faster, we will.
“If it’s right to take on bank debt, we’ve got multiple sources to go to for that.”
Revenue increased 13% to £80.7 million and underlying profits grew 10% to £17.3 million for the second half to December 30.
Sales have been boosted by sales of its new hot chocolate machine — the Velvetiser, which costs £99.99.
Thirlwell admitted that he had been caught out by the demand for the Velvetiser after it went on sale last year.
“It blew our expectations. We were in a happy position of chasing our tails to keep it in stock,” he said.
Hotel Chocolat has already sold “tens of thousands” of Velvetisers online and it will begin to sell it in stores too.
