Annual sales up 27pc for Angling Direct

In the year to the end of January revenue is expected to have risen to £67.6 million with earnings before tax of at least £3.8m.

The strong performance has been achieved despite all of the group’s retail stores being forced to close for 82 days between March 24 and June 14 last year and from January 5 this year.

It was also only able to operate on a call and collect basis from November 5 to December 1.

The company’s strong growth was driven by robust momentum in online sales which grew 40 per cent to £35.3m. UK online sales increased 62 per cent.

The number of visitors to the company’s UK website increased by 2.5 million in the year to 7.4m, as many people returned to angling as a recreational activity with the associated wellbeing benefits.

Total store sales increased 16 per cent to £32.3m while the total number of stores increased from 34 to 38 with the new stores contributing £2.2m in sales.

In common with other retailers and despite rigorous preparation, the company has experienced some post-Brexit disruption to logistics as well as less predictable Far East supply.

Its board believes that Angling Direct’s omni-channel model combined with its strategic and operational progress leaves the company well placed to benefit from the heightened interest in angling as customers seek to take advantage of its numerous wellbeing benefits.

Chief executive Andy Torrance thanked Angling Direct employees for working tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, often in challenging circumstances, to deliver for its growing customer base.

"I am pleased with the performance that we have delivered through financial year 2020-2021, with good progress made on all fronts, both operationally and strategically, and look forward to reopening our stores in April, in line with the Government’s road map," he added.

The company, founded in 1986, currently sells more than 20,000 fishing tackle products.