The chief executive of Ten Entertainment Group has said that he is “confident” that the business will return to growth after Covid-19 pushed the entertainment centre group a pre-tax loss in new half-year results.

The company, which operates 46 family entertainment centres across the UK, reported total sales of £22.5m for the 26 weeks to 28 June 2020, down from £41.4m in the prior period.

Additionally, the group made an adjusted pre-tax loss of £5.7m, down from the profit of £7.3m.  This is a result of the enforced government closure of all leisure and hospitality venues from 20 March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All centres are now fully open, and trading has begun at 83 per cent of previous levels.

Chief executive Graham Blackwell said: I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to lead the group at this crucial time and I am grateful for the fantastic support from my colleagues as we have secured our long-term position.  

“My 30 years in the business have shown me that the strength and stability of our teams, the quality of our estate and our great service can stand the test of time. 

“We are really encouraged by our reopening performance.  Our primary focus is to return the business to the trend of the first quarter through our strengths in operational improvements and commercial innovation.  Our proven strategy remains relevant, and with a track record of eight consecutive years of like-for-like sales progression, I am confident that we will return the business to growth.”