Johnson reports sales growth in drycleaning shops

SALES at high street drycleaning chain Johnsons are growing again after a challenging recent past, the company said today.

In a year-end trading update parent Johnson Service Group said the increase in like-for-like sales was the first in several years.

It follows a restructuring programme last year which saw 103 poorly-performing sites closed down.

The Cheshire-based group, which also includes facilities management and textile rentals, said its results for 2012 will be in line with market expectations.

Net debt is estimated to be below £59m at the end of December 2012, which is lower than expected.

Executive chairman John Talbot said: “I am pleased with the trading performance across the group and it is very encouraging to see that our drycleaning estate has shown like for like growth in sales which, whilst modest, is the first such increase for a number of years.”

The company will announce its full year figures in March.