Spanish restaurant chain La Tasca Group has reported strong preliminary results for the year ending 30 April 2006.

Turnover increased 13.8 per cent to £55.6m from £48.8m in 2005, despite the group encountering considerable pre-opening costs from seven new sites, while pre-tax profit also rose 55.3 per cent to £6.1m from £3.9m.

Chief executive of La Tasca Group James Horler said: “This has been an excellent year for the company. We have a proven business that has much potential to grow in an expanding marketplace. We have the infrastructure in place and remain confident of developing our business and reporting further progress during the current year.”

Over the past financial year, the restaurant chain has continued to expand rapidly.

Currently, the group operates 61 UK restaurants with 54 La Tasca-branded sites, six La Viña Bar & Restaurant and one Sam & Maxie’s bar and smokehouse. There are also three La Tasca properties operated by the group in the US.

The group plans to open a further 14 restaurants this year. In particular, there will be expansion of the La Viña brand in London while the core La Tasca restaurant brand will be rolled out to high footfall areas with particular focus on London and the south east. Details: www.latascagroupplc.co.uk