Longchamp bags sales rise in the UK

French luxury bag maker Longchamp has fought off rivals in London to post a UK sales surge, it emerged on Friday.

The accessories firm, which counts the Duchess of Cambridge and baking guru Mary Berry as fans, said performance in Britain was “good” in 2016. It boosted turnover to £15.1 million from £8.7 million in 2015, new accounts show.

The firm also increased staff numbers to 76 from 51.

Growth came “despite the economic crisis and increased competition,” it said.

The update contrasts with some retailers’ recent warnings of weak consumer confidence and fewer customers.

The luxury brand has a number of concessions and three stand-alone stores, including on Regent Street and at Westfield London. It warned of big rents in the capital and said that high fixed costs could lead to stores becoming loss-making.

The firm, owned by the founding Cassegrain family, saw pre-tax profits rise to £812,291 from £405,732.