P207 CEEFAX 2 207 Fri 21 Jan 22:01/17 NEW YEAR SALES SLIDE HITS OLD ENGLISH The millennium failed to draw merry- makers into the pubs according to Old English Inns, which unveiled a slide in sales in the run up to the New Year. As a result, full-year profits would not meet expectations, it warned. The group said like-for-like sales, which strip out sales at new and recently developed pubs, were down 5% in December. It blamed "poor millennium trading in rooms, food and beverage sales, in line with the rest of the sector". 1/2 Headlines 200 Commodities 246 Savings 250 Front page 100 Next News Headlines YourMoney Main MenuP207 CEEFAX 2 207 Fri 21 Jan 22:14/11 SALES MARCH AHEAD FOR REATILER BLACKS Outdoor pursuits retailer Blacks Leisure saw its sales stride ahead over Christmas, it has reported. Blacks said it was pleased with trading levels and margins as like-for-like sales rose 8% in the six weeks to Jan 8 Sales grew fastest in its sports and fashion division where like-for-like sales rose 9%, but margins at the division were slightly lower. But margins rose slightly in the outdoor business — which includes Air and Millers — with sales up 7%. 2/2 Headlines 200 Commodities 246 Savings 250 Front page 100 Next News Headlines YourMoney Main Menu