Lights dim on nightclub group's sales

THE UK's biggest nightclub owner saw a dip in sales of 2.4 per cent in the first half of the year as the consumer slowdown forced many clubbers to stay at home.

Luminar Group, the owner of the Lava & Ignite and Jam House venues in Edinburgh, said trading during the period continued to be "difficult", but its performance was in line with management expectations.

In a statement, the firm, which owns 74 clubs, said: "(Our] operations are highly cash generative and Luminar will continue to finance its development through its existing strong cash flow and banking facilities."