Leisure operator, Rank Group, has issued a trading update for the six months to 22 November.

Operating profit over the period was in line with last year, despite further goodwill payments relating to acquisitions and both Deluxe and Hard Rock being hit by a weaker US dollar. Overall, results for the full year are anticipated to be more or less in line with expectations.

Mecca Bingo has seen steady growth in revenues and profits, with the replacement of UK bingo tax with a gross profits tax having had “little noticeable impact” on trading so far.

Results from Grosvenor Casinos have been mixed. London has continued soft, which has impacted the three mid-market sites where results were down on the same period last year. The Clermont has done well but the Park Tower, despite admissions and take both growing substantially since its refurbishment, has seen a lower win rate holding back results.

The provincial casinos have seen further growth in take, turnover and operating profit, albeit at a lower rate than in the first half of the year.

The casinos in both Plymouth and Portsmouth have recently been relocated and both are doing well, whilst there are plans to relocate the Cardiff venue and to open additional casinos in Bolton and Stoke-on-Trent during 2004.

The company’s two Hard Rock casinos are progressing well, with London particularly so.

Hard Rock Cafés has seen a small improvement in like for like sales since the half year. Food and beverage sales are up 2.6 per cent on the year to date but sales of merchandise have been hit by the continuing low level of international tourism.

Since the half year, new owned cafés have opened in Cardiff and Detroit and franchised versions in Moscow and Nassau. Further franchised sites will be opening in Oslo, Dublin and Panama.

Elsewhere, the Hard Rock Hotel concept will make its appearance in Chicago with an opening in the New Year and an agreement has recently been signed for the construction of a Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego.

The two hotel/casino developments in Florida are on target to open in March and May next year. Details: www.rank.com