According to it latest annual report filed at Companies House for the year ended 31 December 2024, losses before tax at the restaurant fell to £97,000, down from £180,000 the previous year.
Turnover at the business increased marginally, up from £9.06m to £9.1m, while gross profit remained largely the same at £6.9m.
Writing in its director’s report, the business said that 2024 had proven to be ‘another challenging year’ but that the group, which also operates Roux at Skindles restaurant in Maidenhead, remained busy.
It added that the completion of its culinary school and new library at the end of 2023 and new marketing and events as well as lower costs had helped the business.
The director’s report said: “The UK restaurant industry generally found 2024 to be another challenging year primarily because of the continuing increase in costs across all fronts and consumers responding to the cost-of-living crisis and generally spending more carefully on eating out.
“This trend is expected to continue into 2025 with the added challenge of increased operational costs following the autumn budget. However, the group continues to be busy across all fronts with sales remaining mostly stable with 2024 but is pleased to report increased revenue from novel marketing and events.
“It is also very pleasing to note that our customers, whether at The Waterside Inn or Roux at Skindles remain happy to “buck the trend” and to pay a premium price for a product and service that remains a challenge to our competition.
The inevitable increase in staffing costs as well as energy and food costs are just part of the seemingly ever-increasing cost base of the group’s operations which then affects our overall profitability. However, following the completion to the group’s culinary school and new library at the end of 2023, this current year’s results have benefited with lower professional fees and associated costs, and we are pleased to report an increase in profitability.”
The 40th anniversary final of the Roux Scholarship was held at the restaurant’s culinary school in April last year and the group said that it was ‘excited’ about the interests and opportunities that the culinary school will provide for the future.