Domini Kemp's Itsa Bagel returns to profit despite ‘challenging’ year

Itsa, the restaurant and food retail business operated by well-known chef Domini Kemp, returned to profit last year.

Newly filed accounts for Itsa Bagel Ltd show a €13,256 decline in accumulated losses to €127,672 for the 12 months to the end of last February.

The accounts are abridged, but the auditor’s report confirms the company recorded a profit in the year.

Speaking yesterday, Ms Kemp said the business also saw “a small increase in revenues”, despite the financial year proving to be “a challenging one”.

Numbers employed at the group increased to 120 and Ms Kemp said: “We continued to place heavy emphasis on reducing costs and becoming more efficient.

“We can definitely see some upturn in the economy; however customers are still price conscious and continue to seek value and deals.

“Some areas and stores showed a downturn because of external changes in the area — more competition and less footfall.

"Other stores held their own, and some showed a small increase in revenues-quality and customer service enabled us to hold our own.

“Overall, our reduction in losses is due to us becoming more efficient and cost conscious.”

Itsa closed four outlets in the past couple of years due to high rents.

It still has outlets in Dun Laoghaire, Sandyford, Ranelagh, Malahide, and Dublin city centre.

Its newest brand — Joe’s Coffee — now has three outlets and is showing “great growth”, according to Ms Kemp.