Comptoir Libanais reports £5m pre-tax loss

Comptoir Libanais has reported a pre-tax loss of £5m for the six month period ending 30 June, from a £547,685 loss over the same period last year.

The group’s gross revenue dropped by 61% in the period to £6.1m, with Comptoir citing “Covid-19 related closures” as the reason behind the group’s weak financial results.

The restaurant group, which specialises in Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, currently owns and operates 24 restaurants, with a further four franchise restaurants.

Since 4 July, the group has gradually reopened 19 of its sites.

Richard Kleiner, the group’s non-executive chairman, said: “There is no hiding from the fact that we are facing unprecedented times across UK hospitality, and with that, market conditions will inevitably continue to be challenging for our business. 

“However, I am greatly encouraged by the strength of the Comptoir brand with its excellent quality, healthy food served in the safest possible environment, whilst retaining the genuine feel of family and friendly hospitality that forms the very heart and soul of our offering.”

He added: “Of course, none of this would be remotely possible without the truly immense dedication from every one of our team members who work tirelessly, day in day out, to make all this happen.

“I am confident that we will emerge all the stronger out of this crisis, working in collaboration with all of our partners, as consumer confidence lifts and normality once again resumes.”