Cook reports record revenues following high demand for ready meals

Panic-buying at the start of the coronavirus crisis helped upmarket ready meals maker Cook to achieve record annual revenues, new accounts show.

The retailer, which has 88 shops, of which 24 are inside the M25, had an “extraordinary” March when customers started to stockpile food for Covid-19 lockdowns. Demand soared in stores and online.

The Kent-headquartered company said turnover rose 12.8% to £71.8 million in the 12 months to March 31.

Its pre-tax profit improved to £3.8 million from £2.5 million.

In the current financial year, trading has been “strong” said co-chief executive, Ed Perry, with a big swing to home delivery from bricks-and-mortar sales.