CHESHIRE-BASED contractor and developer Pochin’s has slumped to a loss before tax of £9.4m in the year to May 31, compared with a £1.8m profit the previous year.
The Middlewich firm blamed the “most dramatic and sustained collapse in property values in living memory”, and said market conditions would be subdued for the foreseeable future.
Cunard owner still ‘positive’
CRUISE ship giant Carnival said it had been encouraged by the strength of its booking volumes this year in a “challenging” environment.
Third-quarter revenues fell 15% to £2.5bn, compared with last year, due to lower ticket prices. Carnival’s brands include Cunard and Princess.
Brick gloom
BERKHAMSTED-BASED brickmaker Michelmersh said it was not expecting “any significant improvement” in the second half of 2009, despite pre-tax losses narrowing to £457,000 in the first six months of the year. Revenues fell 28% to £9.1m.
Sales down
HOME shopping and education supplies firm Findel has seen a 5% fall in like-for-like sales during the first 23 weeks of its financial year. West Yorkshire-based Findel said uncertainty over public sector funding was hitting its education arm.
Highway win
NORWICH-BASED construction firm May Gurney has won a highways maintenance deal with Lincolnshire County Council, worth up to £350m over 10 years.
