Hartford Group, owner of the Jamies Bars chain, has announced its first positive full year pre-tax figures.

The London-based operator reported profits of £414,000 before tax and amortisation for the 52 weeks ending 27 September.

The figure compares well with last year’s loss of £355,000 during the same period.

The group has also been able to cut its net debt to £1.7m.

Last year, the group disposed of three loss-making units – The Wells in Ascot and the Pharmacy and Dakota restaurants in Notting Hill – leaving it with just one restaurant –The Canyon in Richmond. The move allowed the group to concentrate on its bars business.

The group also acquired seven more Jamies sites to take its branded bar count up to eighteen.

Stephen Thomas, chair, saw the figures as confirmation that better times lie ahead. “This leaves the troubles of the past behind and allows us to concentrate on the core business without distractions. We are now looking to make a profit for the first time,” he said.

The company has also announced that finance director Colin Lewin would be leaving the group after overseeing the integration of Jamies Bars into the Hartford Group.

He will be replaced by Hartford’s current financial controller, Urvashi Parekh.