Limelight takes direct line

LIMELIGHT, the Moben kitchens and Dophin bathrooms group run by chief executive Andrew Stanway (left), is to follow the success of its direct-sales brand Kitchen Direct by launching equivalent services in the bedroom and bathroom sectors. Bedroom Direct will be launched on Monday with Bathroom Direct following within a year.

Limelight announced the plans as it unveiled its full-year figures, which showed rising sales and a return to profitability. The group recorded pre-tax profits of pounds 8.1m last year, compared with a pounds 12.3m loss for 1997.

No final dividend was proposed but the company is planning a maiden payout at the interim stage. Limelight announced last month that it was in talks that could lead to an offer but these broke down.