Treats sales fall

POOR WEATHER caused a 3 per cent fall in sales at Treats Group, the UK's largest independent ice-cream maker. Profits halved to just pounds 1.25m in the six months to 28 June, the chairman, Brian Fidler, said.

The impulse lolly market was down a quarter in June, July was also dull and the costs of increased capacity have raised borrowings. No interim dividend is being paid, but the company is changing its name to Richmond Foods and changing its year-end to 30 September.