Comptoir Group PLC (AIM:COM) shares slipped by almost 20% on Friday morning as the restaurant operator unveiled industrial action and weather hit interim results.
Though revenue grew marginally by 2.1% to £14.8 million, alongside like-for-like sales up by 6%, earnings per share slumped from 0.77p in 2022 to a loss of 0.64p this time around.
“Trading continues to be impacted by significant events outside of our direct control,” non-executive chair Beatrice Lafon said, “such as the ongoing public transport industrial action which now enters a second year.
“We have also had a relatively poor summer in terms of terrace weather.”
Lafon also pointed to macroeconomic pressures, including high inflation and the ending of government support with business rates and value-added tax.
Reassurances that utility costs would drop later this year and capital expenditure was plateauing failed to sway investors, with shares in the company falling by 19.3% to 5.75p.