Garsons, Polhill, Stewarts and Webbs all achieved sales growth in their most recent accounting periods, according to new accounts filed at Companies House.
Garsons was the star performer of the four, with sales up 8% at £13.3m in the 12 months to April 3. Operating profit was £1.027m, giving an operating margin of 7.7%. Staff costs were up very slightly at 26.7% of turnover, and return on capital was consistent at 13.2%.

Polhill saw sales rise 3% to £11.78m in the calendar year 2010. Margins came under pressure, however, with operating profit down 34% at £403,000. Staff costs were 26.3% of turnover, and return on capital was 13%.

Stewarts saw a sharp rise in profits in the year to January 31, with operating profit up more than 500% at £427,000. Sales rose 2% to £9.35m, and staff costs fell slightly from 30.8% of turnover to 30% - still one of the highest staff costs in the sector. Return on capital recovered from zero in the previous year to 4.7%.

Webbs was the only one of the four to record an loss in its latest year, with an operating loss of £35,000 in calendar year 2010 (2009: profit £732,000). Sales rose 1% to £14.32m, and staff costs were 26.2% of turnover. Webb stockturn up from 4.1 to 4.4 times.