Chairman remains enthusiastic about future
UK furniture and beds retailer Homestyle has reported a pre-tax loss of£24.6 million for the 61 weeks to July 1 this year. The group said recent trading conditions have been 'testing'.

Homestyle chairman Donald Macpherson said the group's businesses, Harveys Furnishing stores and the Bensons, Sleepmasters and Bed Shed brands, 'are in more robust health than at any point for some years and are facing the future with fresh enthusiasm'.

The group revealed it had appointed a new management team to head the beds division, which had 're-energised' the business.

Macpherson added: 'We have a strong balance sheet, rejuvenated trading businesses, a dedicated management team and an exciting commercial partnership with Steinhoff. The ingredients are now in place for long-term success.'

For the previous accounting period, the 52 weeks to April 30 last year, Homestyle made a pre-tax loss of£25.5 million.