Conran Restaurants has enjoyed strong Christmas trading with December’s like for like sales up 12 per cent compared to the same period in 2005.

In it first trading statement since the senior management team bought a 49 per cent stake in September 2006, the company also said that turnover is 10 per cent ahead of 2005 for the first three quarters of the current financial year.

De Gunewardena, chair and chief executive of Conran Restaurants, said: “This was the best Christmas we’ve had in years and what was most satisfying was to see the strength of trading across the board.

“We had strong revenues both in the City and the West End – each up 12 to 13 per cent in December.”

Meanwhile, the company is expected to announce a name change this March.