DRY cleaning-to-facilities management group Johnson Services doubled profits in the year to December 31.

The Preston Brook-based group announced a year of progress which saw adjusted pre-tax profits, excluding exceptional items, jump from £6m to £12.2m despite a fall in revenues from £252.3m to £236.4m.

Chairman John Talbot, who has masterminded the group’s recovery, said: “I am pleased with these results which have been achieved despite the challenging conditions affecting all our three divisions.”

He attributed the improvement to “a focus on costs, cash flow and profitability” which helped textile rental subsidiary Stalbridge return to profit “after a very difficult few years”.

Debts were also cut from £78.5m to £67.7m during the year.

After the sale of the workplace engineering arm last December, the group now comprises three divisions: the Prescot-based dry cleaning business; a workwear hire arm; and facilities management.

Textile rental, including the Apparelmaster and Stalbridge brands which provide thousands of garments for a variety of workforces each week, fared well despite the economic downturn, with overall adjusted operating profits 2.1% better at £14.6m.

SGP provides property, building and facilities management services for 45,000 retail and commercial properties, and, despite the failure of some clients, including Threshers, Woolworth and Adams, it saw adjusted operating profit increase by 6.5% to £3.3m.

However, dry cleaning recorded a fall in adjusted operating profits from £4.4m to £3m due to a combination of reduced spending during the credit crunch and bad weather.