AIM-listed restaurant group FishWorks has said that, while trading at its core restaurants remains strong, it expects pre-tax profit for the year ending 31 July 2006 to be slightly below current market expectations.

This is due to later than expected site openings and a delay in finalising the £970,000 Channel Fisheries deal, which completed on 24 January.

The group operates a chain of seafood outlets in London, Bath, Bristol and Christchurch alongside the seafood bar on the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge.

New sites in London’s Primrose Hill and Richmond are due to open in February and March 2006 respectively while the group intends to roll out up to 15 restaurant sites by July 2007. Details: www.fishworks.co.uk