Urbium, owner of bar brands Tiger Tiger and Sugar Reef has revealed strong trading figures for December despite the downturn hitting many others in the industry.

Net sales for the four weeks to 31 December increased 37 per cent to £9.8m and like for like sales were up 3.4 per cent.

Tiger Tiger reported particularly strong growth with comparable sales up 11.7 per cent.

Managing director, Robert Cohen said successful trading in December was due to, 'restaurant and bar facilities generating significant sales from corporate events and organised parties'. He added that growing usage of the company's website, latenightlondon.co.uk had 'given our 16 West End businesses a real competitive edge'.

Chair, John Conlan, said: 'Our second half [of 2002] results were achieved against a background of tightening leisure consumer spending and Urbium is well prepared for the continuing reduction in consumer spending on all forms of leisure that we expect during 2003.'

The company added eight new sites during 2002, including Tiger Tigers in Croydon, Glasgow and Newcastle.