Booths pretax profit rose 7.2% to £8.2m in the year to April 2, however sales were flat and the upmarket northern grocer said current trading has remained tough.

The pretax profit figure includes an exceptional item relating to profit on the sale of land and buildings of £951,000.

Operating profit fell 2.5% to £9.4m. Like-for-likes dropped 2%, while total Sales were flat at £270m.

In documents filed at Companies House, Booths said: “Despite the continued economic malaise on the high street , the company’s performance is solid and we have been busy developing plans for new stores and refining our operations.”

However, chairman Edwin Booth said since year end “trading conditions have remained tough”.

He added: “Trading so far this financial year has remained difficult but I have no reason to believe that we will not end the year with a solid financial result.

“We have also turned our minds to how the Booths offer will look in years to come. This work encompasses product range and the feel of our shop floors. It is our intention to make Booths an even more attractive shopping experience while maintaining a practical grocery offer for every day customers.”

Booths is trialling a loyalty card in its Settle store and is working to “completely refurbish the Booth.co.uk website”.